Child Rights & Democracy
Children's Parliament Initiative
Empowering children and youth to be proactive contributors to democracy, progress and development in their communities.
10,000+
Children Reached
2
Parliament Types
4
Strategic Objectives
The Children's Parliament initiative has proven highly effective in fostering democratic values in children from a young age. Implemented by the Development Association of Nagaland, this project has reached over 10,000 children through capacity building and direct community engagement. Significant improvements have been observed in children's leadership qualities, openness, and understanding of personal health, hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health rights.
Goal
The children and youth are empowered to be proactive contributors to democracy, progress and development in the communities through the Children's Parliament Mechanism.
Strategic Objectives
- 1
Mobilize and capacitate children in communities and educational institutions through the children's parliament mechanism.
- 2
Build Capacity and mentor children on democracy and governance, leadership, career development and life skills through focused training programmes.
- 3
Facilitate opportunities for participation and engagement of children in governance, community life and decision-making processes.
- 4
Promote an enabling environment for sustaining the Children's Parliaments in the institutions and communities.
Activities
Institutional Children's Parliament
Children's Parliaments are nurtured in educational institutions as a co-curricular engagement with the involvement of male and female class representatives from each class. At the school level, the parliament elects the prime minister and the council of ministers under the patronage of the head of the institution. The school parliaments hold monthly sessions and take decisions as per parliamentary procedures.
Neighbourhood Children's Parliament
The Neighbourhood Children's Parliaments are nurtured in the communities involving both school going and out of school children, belonging to different communities and groups within the village. The Parliaments are formed under the patronage of the village councils and elders. Monthly sessions are held to discuss matters of importance and decisions are made through parliamentary processes.
Capacity Building Programmes
The Children's Parliament empowers young minds by imparting life skills, soft skills, and leadership through debates and projects. They learn civic responsibility, understand legislative and administrative functions, and develop personality, becoming engaged, confident citizens shaping their communities.
Guided Tours of Government Establishments
Guided tours to government departments and local establishments offer children invaluable experiential learning. Witnessing the municipal office in action helps them grasp civic functions firsthand, moving beyond abstract concepts. These real-world interactions transform theoretical knowledge into concrete understanding.
Interface Meetings with Local Government Institutions
Interface meetings with village councils and traditional courts offer children invaluable training in democracy and governance. By observing real-time deliberations on community issues, dispute resolution, and decision-making by elders and elected members, children gain practical understanding of local governance.
Social Action
Children's active participation in social action through cleanliness drives, plantation efforts, anti-tobacco/substance abuse campaigns, and recycling initiatives fosters profound civic engagement. These hands-on activities teach them teamwork, responsibility, and the direct impact of their actions on environmental health and community well-being.
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups significantly foster inclusive growth among children. Through collaborative group study, they enhance academic performance, helping each other understand concepts. These groups also cultivate empathy and social responsibility by pooling resources for peers in distress.