Why is Gwanak-gu Creating a City Where Children Are Safe and Happy?

Achievements of the 7th Elected Term's District Administration Goal 'Together Welfare' and Various Efforts for Children... 16.5 Billion KRW Invested in 2020, 55 Projects in 21 Key Tasks Across 6 Areas Implemented

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Under the 7th elected administration, Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is creating a more inclusive and happy ‘Child-Friendly City’ where all children can live safe, non-discriminatory, and happy lives.

In March, the district achieved the remarkable feat of being certified as a ‘Child-Friendly City’ by the UNICEF Korea Committee. The Child-Friendly City certification is awarded by the UNICEF Korea Committee based on 10 principles including child participation, child-friendly legal systems, and the establishment of child-dedicated organizations. The committee objectively reviews 46 items of local government policies and grants the certification, which is valid for four years.

With the goal of establishing a foundation for realizing children’s basic rights, Gwanak-gu selected 21 key tasks across six areas that reflect the district’s unique regional characteristics: ▲Play and Leisure ▲Participation and Civic Awareness ▲Safety and Protection ▲Health and Social Services ▲Educational Environment ▲Home Environment, and is implementing a total of 55 projects.

Since joining the Child-Friendly Local Government Council in October 2017, the district has laid the groundwork for child-friendly systems and frameworks by ▲establishing dedicated organizations and enacting ordinances ▲conducting child status surveys ▲allocating child-friendly budgets, as well as ▲operating a Child Rights Monitoring Group and ▲providing child rights education to enhance children’s participation and awareness of their rights.

This year, the district is investing 16.5 billion KRW in projects, an increase of about 2.8 billion KRW compared to last year, yielding remarkable results through more systematic and sustainable child-friendly policies.

First, to protect children’s rights to basic living, the community-led ‘Happy Mama Restaurant’ provides warm home-cooked meals and care for children on behalf of busy parents, delivering warmth during the COVID-19 era.

As the nation’s first ‘Happy Mama Restaurant’ mediated by resident volunteers, it supports not only meal provision but also creative experiential activities such as Mama Playground and Mama Counseling Center, including psychological counseling.

To address the blind spots in elementary school childcare, two ‘Our Neighborhood Care Centers’ have been established in Seorim-dong and Sinwon-dong, with operations starting early next year. These centers will offer various programs including meals and snacks, homework guidance, reading programs, cooking classes, and physical activities for elementary students in need of care.

To enhance children’s right to freely play, two ‘Early Childhood Nature Learning Centers’ have been set up where children can use the forest as a learning space to connect with nature and develop creativity and concentration.

Since the start of the 7th elected administration, the district has created eight such centers and plans to operate a total of ten early childhood forest experience facilities by next year.

Additionally, the district is accelerating efforts to expand a child-friendly childcare environment and care infrastructure.

The ‘Gwanak-gu Family Culture Welfare Center,’ which broke ground last June, is being constructed in Sinsa-dong, Gwanak-gu, with a total floor area of 3,999.8㎡ across two basement levels and six floors above ground, targeting completion in 2021. It will provide an indoor play experience center for infants and toddlers, a toy library for young children, a comprehensive childcare support center, and a performance hall hosting cultural events that stimulate children’s curiosity.

Furthermore, three Gwanak-style Mother Centers called ‘I-rang’ are currently operating, linking communal childcare sharing spaces and open childcare rooms. ‘I-rang’ serves as a public playroom for infants and toddlers and a space for cooperative and self-help groups for parenting parents. The district plans to expand the operation of a total of six ‘I-rang’ centers by 2021.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “I believe that a city where children live happily and well will be a city where everyone wants to live,” and added, “We will continue to discover and implement various child-friendly policies to ensure that all children are safe and free from discrimination, in line with the standards of a child-friendly city.”

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