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BUILDING A CULTURE OF CHILD PARTICIPATIONThe lack of mechanisms for hearing the children’s voice is the reason why their voice hasn’t been heard, as well as the reason why the children are not active participants in the making and creation of changes. The project Building culture for children’s participation is one important step forward to achievement of this aim.

The First Children’s Embassy in the World, Megjashi began with realization of the project “Building a Culture of Children’s Participation” financed by European Commission, as part of the program for European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights – (EIDHR), from December 2008, until March 2010.

The Government of  Republic of Macedonia still hasn’t adopted the children participation as a regular politics in making decisions in the field of the children’s right. The lack of mechanisms for hearing the children’s voice is the reason why their voice hasn’t been heard, as well as the reason why the children are not active participants in the making and creation of changes.

            The project Building a Culture for Children’s Participation is one important step forward to achievement of this aim.

            For that purpose we made net of  7 Citizen’s Organizations, which made groups form 10-12 children, form 9-18 years, who will be involved in the process of research of the children’s rights in Macedonia.

The children will be trained to participate actively in the process of providing respect for children’s rights.

The realization of the project enhances more activities, some of which are: Founding of informal net of go for monitoring of children’s rights, and couple of training and workshops intended for children and Nongovernmental organizations.

            In the net of the 7 Citizen’s Organizations are: the First Children’s Embassy in the World - Megjashi as supporter of the project; the humanitarian association Majka from Kumanovo; Center for Balkan collaboration Ljoja from Tetovo, Council for juvenile delinquency from Kavdarci; Geneva citizen’s initiative Antico from Kichevo; the Center for citizen’s initiative from Prilep and the Center for maintained development Porta from Strumica.

             Reports form the shadow/Study for the situation of the children’s rights in Macedonia/Alternative Report. During November 2009, Macedonia should send the state report for the children’s right to UN, the Committee for Children’s Rights in Geneva. The citizen’s organizations should send the Report from the shadow, and it will be prepared as a part of this project. What is new, is that the report will comprise report prepared by the children and the same will be presented to the Committee for Children’s Rights. The children will manage the research and analysis by themselves, while the adults shall facilitate the process. For the preparation of this report the mentors and coaches will previously collaborate with Go and the children about the methodology, indicators and tools for work.

            First Conference in Macedonia on the subject: children’s participation. The conference will be prepared by and for the children-with participation of 100 children. The final document of the Conference shall be proliferated to the media, government, ministries and other relevant institutions in the country.

            The media and the public shall be continually informed about all important aspects and events of this project. Their contribution to the implementation of the children’s right and children’s participation will be welcomed.

             With the activities foreseen with his project, the Children’s Embassy will give the children opportunity to participate in the creation of the social questions from different fields that regard the rights of the child.

Duration of the project is 15months