UNICEF youth participation
UNICEF sounds gong to promote youth participation
King of the Youth Stijn Harder and UNICEF director Jan Bouke Wijbrandi open the Amsterdam exchange on International Youth Day. By sounding the gong they symbolically ask attention for the right of youth participation, Wijbrandi explains: "According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to express their opinion. Adults should take their insights and ideas seriously. "
15-year-old Harder is 2015 King of the Youth and explores the situation of children in the Netherlands. He talks about his findings on Kleine Prinsjesdag, traditionally held in the Ridderzaal the Friday before Budget Day.
UNICEF encourages young people to have a voice in politics, but also in business. UNICEF Netherlands and the Missing Chapter Foundation have joined forced to stimulate organizations to set up a Children’s Council. These children advise Management Boards on existing dilemmas.
For more information: www.unicef.nl