Child Parliaments are Becoming Agents of Change

In India, children from our Patna learning centres form 'Child Parliaments'. These consist of ten elected ‘ministers’ who represent their friends, learn about their rights and peacefully campaign in their communities. 

A vital part of our programmes is ensuring children can participate and that their voices are heard. We resource them to express themselves, understand their rights and claim them for themselves. Child Parliaments take the lead on many aspects of the programme, creating events, identifying needs in their local areas and educating their friends.

The Child Parliaments have a powerful impact. Here are some highlights they are proud of:

• By talking with their local Childline to improve service through feedback and raising awareness with their friends and families, dozens of cases of trafficking, child marriage, and violence have been prevented or addressed.

• By working with local police officers through special courses and visits, they address fears about corruption and violence within the force, understand police efforts in child protection, and gain opportunities to report local problems and share ideas.

• They have organised a huge array of local campaigns to clean up communities, prevent trafficking, encourage school attendance, promote immunisation and ensure sanitation throughout Covid lockdown.

• Through regular trips to local facilities like the railway station, Post Office, and hospital, Child Parliaments act as ‘mini resource agencies,’ connecting peers with state protection systems, assisting with medical help, booking travel tickets, and ensuring safety on public transport.

"As the Prime Minister of my Child Parliament, I solve problems for local children in education, sports, and health, spread awareness about government schemes in my neighbourhood, and feel proud and happy to do this work."

Nagendra - Child Parliament Prime Minister