=?utf-8?Q?BIS_#_3495 __EMPOWERING_CHILDREN?= THROUGH CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3495

EMPOWERING CHILDREN THROUGH CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT

 

By: BIS Correspondent

 

AHMEDNAGAR-MAHARASHTRA, APRIL 27, 2013: Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmednagar ventures out into new avenues. This time the focus group is children below the age of eighteen years. The staff and community are working on setting up Children's parliament in about thirty villages.

 

Children's Parliament gives a chance to speak for the children, by the children and of the children.  It serves as a platform for the children to develop leadership skills, confidence, team spirit, analytical skills and maturity.

 

This is none other than an organisation/movement for children. Children's Parliament work towards establishing a casteless, secular, egalitarian and non-violent society at the neighbourhood to global levels.

 

The initial process required choosing a village and in that village electing their ministers by following Sociocracy election method.  According to the needs of that village, the different ministers are elected starting with Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Home Minister, Education Minister, Sports Minister, Speaker and Health Minister.

 

They function at different levels. Representatives from different levels federate to form a network. Thus, a Structure is formed to operate from below for the children to participate meaningfully and adequately in issues that affect them.

 

They collectively analyse local problems with a global perspective and evolve solutions. They execute their actions with the help and guidance of adult members of their communities. They also continuously involve in monitoring and evaluation of their own activities. In this way, children continue to involve in addressing their problems and the problems of their village.

 

In order to help children function better, a two day training camp on various leadership skills, capacity building and personal growth is being held in BGVK itself. The children come together for the parliament session.  There they discuss the problems and issues that affect them as well as their village. The children are made conscious of their rights and responsibilities as children.  Their ambition is to grow to become good citizens of India and to fight against Violation of Children's Right.