I have, quite literally, grown up with the Union for Child Welfare. In our family, it\u2019s a common joke that the situation in our family must be horrific because all the children have gone to the Union for Child Welfare. And it\u2019s true that both of my brothers, in addition to myself, have at some point been closely involved with the Union. The first statement, however, is not true. I think that the reason why I am so interested in children\u2019s rights issues has to do with the fact that I have had fantastic circumstances at home. I can safely say that we have the best, most united family, because I am well here. And it\u2019s always been a desire of mine for every other child to feel the same. To feel cared for, and comfortable, because we all deserve that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember that even when I was very little, I would always have some questionnaire in my hand that needed children\u2019s opinion. My interest and journey started with those questionnaires. I was in the fifth or sixth grade when the Union for Child Welfare\u2019s youth council was revived. There was no question, of course I wanted to be a part of it right away. The first change in me was that a shy girl became a person who thought and expressed her thoughts. With the first year alone, I gained so much confidence and learned to perform better and to express my opinion. Some people get involved in debating to gain these qualities, but I can totally recommend working as a children\u2019s rights activist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most useful things that I\u2019ve learned is to think of solutions instead of problems. Of course, in the youth councils, we have thought about different concerns in young people\u2019s lives, but my every experience has ended with coming up with some kind of a solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve also had a lot of moments of sincere pride. It\u2019s always great when a project undertaken by the youth council receives positive feedback. That is how we know that we are doing important work. The highlight of my career has been being a member of the Eurochild youth council. Just being a member of such an influential organisation is a point of pride, but what we have done together is even more awesome. I cannot believe that I have spoken at the European Commission forum, at European Parliament events, interacted with MEPs and decision-makers! It\u2019s amazing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the best part is that I have met wonderful children who are quite literally world-changers. Children who stop at nothing and keep trying until the adults really listen to them. They are authentic superheroes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, I have thought about how good life is in Estonia and how it could still be so much better. Especially when it comes to listening to and involving children. Actually, things have been pretty good with listening to children. Every school has a student council, many rural municipalities and cities have youth councils, many decision-makers work on the principle that children should be involved in decision-making, Estonia has a children\u2019s ombudsman… and this list could go on. We have huge privileges compared to many other countries where young people don\u2019t even know that such a thing as children\u2019s rights exists. So, on a global scale, Estonia is doing very well with involving children. Yet you can always do better. Not to contradict my first statement, I am not going to focus on the shortcomings but instead I will highlight some solutions that have been floating around lately. They were largely inspired by the recent European Commission children\u2019s rights forum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid future crimes, we must show children what they did wrong, not just punish them. It is important how we bring children back into the society, into the community. By helping them understand what they did wrong and helping them get back on track, we can avoid future crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representatives of minority groups are much weaker and more vulnerable. For example, in the current welfare society, there should be no reason for statements like \u2018black lives matter\u2019. Every life matters, every person has rights. Why aren\u2019t those being respected…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aforementioned problems are not decisive in Estonia, but we should offer support and set an example to other countries. Cooperation helps us evolve!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current crisis will help us reshape the future. We must not aim to normalise the previous circumstances but to create an even better welfare society. Let\u2019s not move backward. Let\u2019s move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In reality, there are many ways to include young people in important decision-making. Even the crisis this year has shown how many ways there are to interact with a lot of people without physically going to them. We don\u2019t have to wait for the yearly forums and conventions to include children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Schools are the best places to spread information among young people. There is something quite extraordinary in Estonia \u2013 student councils and youth councils. Many other countries don\u2019t have those. There is no point in constantly creating new networks and youth councils when there are already groups that involve almost all young people in Estonia. First, information could flow through student councils, and another proposal is that decision-makers could and even should attend student union gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Schools need to strongly introduce integrated curricula with global citizenship education which means that children could understand and make sense of their surroundings in a global space, that what I am doing here and now affects other people in the world. Forums and portals where, on the one hand, children can find information in a child-friendly language, and, at the same time, comfortably express their opinion, are necessary. This precisely in a language they like most. Be it sincere words or self-creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every topic ultimately comes back to children\u2019s rights. So, to address other concerns, children\u2019s rights must first be made a societal norm. Rights are rights and you cannot violate them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Child-friendly is everyone-friendly. Child-friendly language us not some made-up language that nobody else understands. These texts are just simply written and more attractively decorated. Simplicity is charming!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In conclusion, life in Estonia is already beautiful and people want to listen to us young people. If we don\u2019t give up and fight sustainably for our rights, then maybe soon we will not just be heard but also listened to. Everyone, everywhere, anytime. If not us, who?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the youth council of the Union for Child Welfare?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The youth council that operates within the Union for Child Welfare brings together active young people who have a lot of ideas and even more will to change things, organise and do. The youth council was created on June 1st, 2004 and, currently, has over 40 members. The youth council is also noted in the statute of the Union for Child Welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the goals of the youth council is to support the participation of young people and involve them in questions that directly affect their lives. The youth council gives children and young people a chance to be heard, to pitch their ideas and execute them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The article was compiled in collaboration with the youth council of the Union for Child Welfare.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Union for Child Welfare is an association that contributes to ensuring the rights of the child and shaping a child-friendly society.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Published in the youth information portal Teeviit in 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have, quite literally, grown up with the Union for Child Welfare. In our family, it\u2019s a common joke that the situation in our family must be horrific because all the children have gone to the Union for Child Welfare. And it\u2019s true that both of my brothers, in addition to myself, have at some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[525],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youth-and-civil-rights"],"yoast_head":"\n
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