Children’s Parliament: School of Life
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© ©UNICEF/UZBA/2006 |
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Young deputies during the group work |
More than 180 young parliamentarians from all regions of the country gathered in the capital for the regular 9th session of the Children’s Parliament/Council of Young Generation. 4 years passed since the Parliament had been established. At this session the young deputies summed up their work for the period of four years, discussed the current issues connected with creation of favorable school environment and school self-governance, participation in Flour Fortification communication campaign. One of the key items of the agenda was election of a new speaker.
The Children’s Parliament/Council of Young Generation (“Yosh Avlod Kengashie”) of Uzbekistan was established in 2002 by the initiative of the Children’s Fund of Uzbekistan with support from UNICEF. 8 sessions have been conducted since then at which the young parliamentarian discussed various essential issues such as: the rights of the child, human rights, gender issues, HIV/AIDS prevention, drug use prevention, micronutrient deficiencies, and many other issues. The major activity of the parliamentarians is carried out between sessions, when they apply their knowledge acquired at the sessions and really participate in solving problems related to education, health, and creation of better conditions for children’s development.
It is surprising what a great deal young deputies did after the 8th session, following up the posed tasks. They conducted massive information campaign among millers, bakers, bread sellers and population of the Republic aimed at increasing in demand for wheat flour and bread fortified with iron and vitamins. The success of the campaign in many respects was determined by drawing attention of local khokims and public to the problem.
With a view to create favorable school environment, empower students to express their interests and advocate independently, the young deputies conducted explanatory workshops, training, rendered assistance in holding elections of school councils and their presidents in 1000 schools of the country. In 774 schools 8258 students were surveyed to find out the ways for bettering school environment. In future the parliamentarians are going to work on organization of school self-governance, introduction of UNICEF concept of “child friendly schools”.
Millennium Development Goals (MDG) the young deputies discussed at the session was a new topic for them. They developed a plan of action for promotion MDG at their level. This is their participation in promotion of healthy lifestyle, adequate nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, in solving ecological problems, etc.
Speaking about the Parliament’s activities Sardor Abdullaev, the speaker, a student of the industrial college in Ferghana, pointed out that the young deputies won credibility of local khokimiats, public, young people. They also changed, became more tolerant to criticism, learnt to respect views of other people, formulate their thoughts, discuss, assert their own views, and work in a team.
The positive result of their activity, as the parliamentarians themselves consider, is a real opportunity to influence adults and policy-makers of different levels, to make them aware of children’s problems, views, ideas and proposals for creation of environment favorable for development of youth potential.
The 9th session also considered organizational issues, i.e. election of a new speaker, amendments to the “Regulations on the Children’s Parliament” and other questions. The reason is that many deputies, including Sardor Abdullaev, reached the age of 18 and had to leave the Parliament. To share accumulated experience, preserve the Parliament’s potential a Council of Tutors (Maslahat Kengashie) was set up at the Parliament formed of the most experienced parliamentarians who passed the age limit.
The speaker election procedure was organized according to the rules of fair elections in compliance with the “Regulation” as amended: nominations for election, election campaign, program presentations by candidates. 10 young deputies pretended to the post: 7 persons were nominated by the Parliament’s committees and three children nominated their candidatures themselves. Though and election campaign was active, but neither first nor second round showed an evident leader. None of the candidates polled more than 51%. In the second round over 50% of children voted against both candidates reached the final. As a result Sardor Abdullaev will keep on performing his duties till the next session.
What are the reasons of unsuccessful election campaign? Children openly talked about them at a closing meeting. Among the reasons they named there were: a big number of untrained newcomers, poor understanding of purposes and tasks of election procedure by deputies, shortage of time for preparation of adequate program presentations, local interests, etc.
Children’s Parliament is a school of life for children. They took into consideration all lessons learnt and laid down a program for repeated election campaign at the next session.
