Children’s Parliament
What is the Children’s Parliament?
The Children’s Parliament is a public forum for children on a topic chosen by primary school students at the National Children’s Parliament. It is also a form of participation of children in social events, which allows them to acquire knowledge about human and civil rights. This project, which we have been implementing since 1990, represents one of the original forms of encouraging children to express their own opinions on issues that they choose themselves through a democratic process. Students from most Slovenian schools participate in the programme with the support of mentors and volunteers.
Level implementation (primary schools, municipalities, region, country) enables the inclusion of all primary school pupils in Slovenia. he programme encourages democratic dialogue and public expression on issues related to the growing up of adolescents and their view of their own place in the society.
During the 32nd edition of the National Children’s Parliament which was held on 11 April 2022, young parliamentarians elected the topic for the 33rd and 34th editions of the Children ‘S Parliament (i.e. for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years): MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
11 March 2023: 33rd edition of the municipal Children’s Parliament
29 March 2023: 33rd edition of the regional Children’s Parliament
11 April 2023: 33rd edition of the national Children’s Parliament
UUseful training materials for mentors and program coordinators organised by the ZPMS are available here.
Who participates in the Children’s Parliament?
Primary school pupils who are assisted by principals, mentors, teachers, counsellors, etc. can participate in the Children’s Parliament. Outside the school, they are assisted by associates of the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth. Primary school pupils conclude their discussions at the National Children’s Parliament. The national programme of the Children’s Parliament is organised by the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth.
Why are we organising the Children’s Parliament?
The Children’s Parliament was created at the initiative of pupils to be able to speak publicly and present their opinions, ideas, and dilemmas on issues that are important in the period of growing up in the environment where they live, go to school, or spend their free time. At the same time, they expect the attention of both school and local authorities, as well as State organisations and NGOs that need to listen to the initiatives of young people.
How does it work?
The Children’s Parliament operates in the form of sessions that enable the participation of all primary school pupils. Sessions are held in primary schools in class communities and at the school parliament. In each school, students choose a delegation for the municipal Children’s Parliament. At the municipal Children’s Parliament, a delegation is selected for the regional Children’s Parliament, where representatives represent the interests of peers at the National Children’s Parliament, which takes place in the hall of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.
The implementation timetable and the number of participating representatives by level (for the area of Ljubljana, information regarding the regional parlement is only available for primary schools in Moste):
Level 1: all the time, from the beginning of the school year or from the preparatory seminar and the meeting of mentors to the implementation of the regional Children’s Parliaments, the school Children’s Parliaments, are held at primary schools, enabling pupils to conduct surveys or debates and thus prepare for the regional Children’s Parliament (conducted and monitored by mentors at primary schools).
Level 2: municipal Children’s Parliament, which is organised by Anita Ogulin and ZPM Association and is usually held at the “Vila Šumica” holiday home in Kranjska Gora, is attended by 3 delegates and mentors from 13 primary school from the Moste–Polje area. The invitation is sent to mentors by e-mail (organised by: the Anita Ogulin and ZPM Association, contact person: Nina Balent, info@zveza-anitaogulin.si).
Level 3: preparatory meeting for delegates who will take part in the municipal Children’s Parliament. One of the purposes of the preparatory meeting is to select the working presidency of the municipal Children’s Parliament, so that your representatives will also be able to run for the working presidency if they would like to do so. This is followed by the implementation of the municipal Children’s Parliament at the City Hall in Ljubljana. For this purpose, I will send you the application form, together with the consent form, and kindly ask you to send me back the completed application form once you have selected your representative. The application form, together with the consent of the school and the parent, as well as the invitation, were sent to the mentors by e-mail. Please, send your forms by regular post and NOT BY REGISTERED POST (organised by: the Anita Ogulin and ZPM Association, contact person: Nina Balent, info@zveza-anitaogulin.si).
Level 4: preparatory meeting for the participation in the regional parliament – attended by children who will be elected by your regional parliaments (1 representative per area and 2 deputies. These also become the members of the municipal Children’s Government). This is followed by the implementation of the regional Children’s Parliament, which is attended by elected children (1 representative per area and 2 deputies) (organised by: the Anita Ogulin and ZPM Association, contact person: Nina Balent, info@zveza-anitaogulin.si).
Level 5: the national Children’s Parliament which takes place in the National Assembly (organised by: the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth)
The implementation of the Children’s Parliament programme in the Municipality of Ljubljana is co-financed through a public tender of the Municipality of Ljubljana.
