When it comes to identifying what needs to be improved in the field of children’s rights, the first and most authentic source of information is — children themselves.
Together with them, we are grateful for the opportunity that Ajlin (16) and Jasmin (17), members of the Children and Youth Committee of the “Connecting the Dots – Advancing Children’s Rights” project, had to speak directly to esteemed representatives of government and civil society. They highlighted the key challenges children faced during the COVID-19 pandemic — especially the uncertainty it brought to their education and the growing difficulties with children’s mental health.
“Many students struggled to attend online classes due to the inability to purchase digital devices or access an internet connection,” said Ajlin during a digital roundtable organized in honor of Universal Children’s Day, with financial support from the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event was hosted by the Council for Children, the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, and UNICEF, in cooperation with other partners.
“Our first shared idea after isolation was to equip a place in nature where we could spend more time together in order to protect our mental health,” added Jasmin.
Children and youth representatives from 21 cities across BiH form the Children’s Committee, which is part of the Connecting the Dots – Advancing Children’s Rights in BiH project. The project is funded by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by World Vision BH Foundation, in partnership with the Association Naša djeca Sarajevo and the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH. It addresses one of the most pressing issues in the realm of children’s rights — the lack of a child’s voice in decision-making processes on matters that directly affect them.
Throughout the event, children’s opinions, questions, and voices were heard loud and clear. Notably, Sajra (from the Association Naša djeca Sarajevo) and Ajka (from the Association Land of Children in BiH)—both members of children’s groups within the Stronger Voice for Children network supported by UNICEF—spoke to the attendees and advocated for stronger recognition of children’s perspectives.
