Gangseo-gu Supports Child Participation Committee Using Online Platform

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “I am looking forward to the activities of the Child Participation Committee. I hope COVID-19 subsides quickly so we can meet again in a normal setting.” Kim Ain (2nd year, Yeomchang Middle School)

“It was new to experience a video conference for the first time.” Kim Min-seo (2nd year, Deokwon Girls' High School)

“I will work hard to promote the rights and interests of children in Gangseo-gu.” Bae Soo-min (2nd year, Gyeongbok Girls' High School)

At 2 p.m. on the 8th, the Gangseo-gu Office was filled with the lively voices of teenagers. On this day, the Gangseo-gu Child Participation Committee held an online video meeting where youth committee members shared their plans and aspirations for this year’s activities.

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced that due to COVID-19 preventing face-to-face meetings, it is actively supporting the activities of the Child Participation Committee by utilizing online platforms such as video conferencing for committee meetings.

This is to create a ‘Child-Friendly City Gangseo’ that guarantees the participation of children and adolescents even amid the first-ever online school openings and ongoing social distancing campaigns due to COVID-19.

The Child Participation Committee’s video meeting, called ‘Online Room Corner,’ allows each member to install the ZOOM app, log in by entering their ID or password, or join the video meeting by clicking an invitation link sent by the meeting host.

The Gangseo-gu Child Participation Committee appointed its first members in December 2016, and in January this year, 45 members of the 4th Child Participation Committee were appointed to carry out activities.

On the 15th, the 4th Child Participation Committee will hold an online election for its executive members in line with the National Assembly elections.

Candidates will campaign online through videos and photos, and the child participation members will elect the chairperson and vice-chairperson by voting.

The district plans to continuously share opinions on district policies and actively discover new policies for children and adolescents through online video meetings until the COVID-19 situation is resolved.

In particular, the district holds an annual Child Participation Committee policy report meeting to actively reflect the opinions of children and adolescents in district administration.

Representative policies include ‘Activation of Online Education for Child Abuse Prevention’ and the ‘Women’s Safe Return Scout’ program targeted at teenagers.

District Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “Due to social distancing caused by COVID-19, we held the Child Participation Committee’s online meeting. We will continue to listen carefully to the voices of the child participation members and promote various policies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.