Children’s Parliament of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo is the only group of children formally recognized and continuously supported by a municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Children’s Parliament has two representatives from each school in the municipality, and for 10 years, they have been actively involved in processes taking place in their local community. The primary task of this group is to monitor the needs and problems of children and young people in the community, and to find opportunities for solutions with the support of adults and in cooperation with them. For children, the experience of participating in the Children’s Parliament is of exceptional importance, as it reflects their growth and further commitment to being active members of the community even after they outgrow childhood.
Within the project “Connecting the Dots 2 – Enhancing Child Participation in Decision-Making for Improved Child Rights and Democracy in BiH”, implemented by the association “Naša djeca” Sarajevo and World Vision BH Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and funded by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Children’s Parliament launched the initiative “One Municipality, One Parliament”. The activities planned within this initiative represent a continuation of efforts to first expand the story of the Children’s Parliament to all municipalities in the city of Sarajevo, and to establish and formalize them so that they become consultative bodies through which children can actively cooperate with the municipality and the local community, and communicate their own needs and the needs of their peers.
The need for implementing activities planned and led by children arises primarily from the importance that respecting children’s opinions and listening to their voices has on the positive and healthy development of a child. Years of experience working with children and youth show that individuals who are active in their communities grow into young people who reflect, think critically about society, and can clearly recognize and respond to the needs of their peers. It is not possible to build a society for children without the voice of children and without considering their real needs and problems. The fact that a child has the opportunity from the earliest age to participate, to take an active role in the family, school, society, and community, significantly contributes to the development of children’s capacities, self-confidence, and socio-emotional competencies. Communities that ensure children’s participation have greater awareness of children’s rights, greater respect for children, improved status of children in the community, and a better environment for healthy growth and development.
Local communities play a crucial role in the positive development of children, as well as in the protection of their rights. When we speak about children, we think about their developmental capacities. Therefore, local communities can be one of the environments that provide opportunities for children to participate in activities and programs that teach them about choice and responsible decision-making.
The Children’s Parliament is a place where the voices of children are truly heard.
Children are not only the future – children are the present! Together, we are building a city where children’s opinions are valued and where their rights come first.
The video you are watching was created by members of the Children’s Parliament! They are sending a clear message: it’s time for all of us to join together in establishing Children’s Parliaments across our city.
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