Novi Sad, 16 October – Members of the Children‘s Council of the Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman visited today the AP Vojvodina Assembly, learned about the way it works and talked to the President of the AP Vojvodina Assembly Bálint Juhász.
Expressing his excitement about the today‘s visit, President Juhász emphasised the importance of allowing our citizens an access to the provincial parliament, also referring to children, who should consider the home where most relevant decisions are made concerning the life of citizens of our province, to be their home too.
“According to international conventions, the fundamental right of the child is the right to express his or her views and right to participation, which has been well recognised by the institution of the Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman. I highly commend the establishing of the Children‘s Council and have a great pleasure to be its honorary member. This visit is of special importance to me, as the Assembly president, but as the father of three children, as well. Goethe said the greatest men are those who stay children forever, which should remind us to keep the spirits and curiosity of a child. We will only be able to do that if we hear what children say and always keep in touch with them”, president Juhász said.
The President of AP Vojvodina Assembly, Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman, assist. prof. Dragana Ćorić and Deputy Provincial Ombudsman for protection of the rights of the child Jolan Korora talked to the children about the importance of their participation in the decision-making process concerning the protection of the rights of the child, improvement of education, health protection and other relevant areas.
The Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman, Dragana Ćorić said the rights and responsibilities of the child were most often perceived through the eyes of adults, which is precisely why the voice of the Children’s Council mattered, to point to all the things the adults failed to consider.
“Our cooperation with the first composition of the Children‘s Council has been quite satisfactory and we are very proud of the results they have achieved so far. All these children have made progress as persons, becoming more self-confident, much better informed and will be true ambassadors of human rights protection in their environments. We appreciate the support of the AP Vojvodina and Provincial Government and thank President Juhász for being our host today”, Ombudsman Ćirić underlined.
The Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman established the Children‘s Council in 2023 as a standing working body of this institution. By taking part in the work and activities of the Children‘s Council, 15 members of this body, aged 13 to 18, have an opportunity to get informed and notify the Ombudsman about violations of the rights of the child, express their views, advice and proposals to improve the rights of the child, take part in organising education activities dedicated to the rights of the child and investigation of the situation in the field of the rights of the child.