Listen to the future: Kids Takeover High-level Government Meeting

Skopje, 20 November 2024: Today, on World Children’s Day, children and adolescents led the discussion at a High-level Government Meeting, where they shared their views on three global megatrends that are shaping children’s futures: the climate crisis, advanced technologies and demographic change.

Some 45 children aged 13 to 17 from across the country met with the President of the Government, Hristijan Mickovski together with the Ministers of Finance, Environment and Physical Planning, Health, Education and Science, Social Policy, Demography and Youth and Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Local Self-governance, Minister in charge of Roma decade, Deputy Minister of Information Society and Digital Transformation and other officials including the UNICEF Representative.

“Today I had perhaps the most important interlocutors from my several-month presidency of the Government - they were the children. Today, when World Children's Day is celebrated, together with our partners from UNICEF, we held a joint governmental meeting, where we discussed the position and rights of children", said the Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. "This is a day when we must not only talk, but also act. Government, civil society organizations, teachers, parents and every individual have a role in this fight. Therefore, our goal is: to create educational programmes that will inspire our children to be leaders of tomorrow; to support policies that guarantee social protection for all children, especially for the most vulnerable; to listen to the children, to encourage them to have their say and to include them in the decision-making processes."

“Our discussion theme, 'Listen to the Future,' captures the essence of World Children’s Day. It recognizes that today’s children are the future of the country and emphasizes the importance of listening to their ideas about the future they envision for themselves and generations to come,” said Lesley Miller, UNICEF Representative. “Listen to the future” is also about looking beyond the immediate horizon, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and acting now to build a better world for every child.”

Child advocates opened the discussion on climate change and its impact on children. They called for better air pollution monitoring and sanctions for major industrial polluters; budget allocation for green initiatives, such as green infrastructure and youth-led green action; support for bicycle paths, bicycles subsidies, improved public transport, and reforestation and urban green spaces. They also asked for more support for alternative energy sources and innovative waste management methods.

Talking about advanced technologies, children called for investment in digital infrastructure in all schools, especially rural; digital literacy training; regulation for the ethical use of AI in education focusing on students’ privacy and digital database of resources accessible for children with disabilities. In the context of health, children proposed broad automatization of administrative processes in all hospitals; regulations to protect patients’ privacy; and using of AI for advanced analyses of population health data to prevent potential health risks and create health policies.

Reflecting on demographic change and the impact on children’s lives, the young advocates focused on population movements and the brain drain. They called for creation of more job opportunities and better economic and social stability for all; equal access to quality education, health care and social services for all children, regardless of their place of living; improved support to quality education; and more cultural and sport activities in local communities.

“Today, we had an opportunity to share our visions, hopes, and proposals for a better future with all of you who have the power and responsibility to turn these visions into reality. This occasion is not just to hear what we think, but also to recognize that we have concrete ideas and solutions that can shape our society towards development and equality,“ concluded Kasija, 17, child rights advocate.

North Macedonia is set to develop several key national strategies, including the National Education Strategy, ICT Strategy, National Cyber Security Strategy, and the Nationally Determined Contribution NDC3.0. By incorporating the insights shared by children and maintaining ongoing dialogue with them, the country aims to ensure their perspectives are integrated into all policies and strategies that impact their lives.