Gwangju Seo-gu Holds Child Policy Proposal Meeting... 26 Students Participate

Published 04 Dec.2023 13:59(KST)

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) has decided to actively reflect the opinions of local youth in district administration.

Seo-gu announced on the 4th that on the 2nd, it held a Child Policy Proposal Meeting where the Youth District Participation Group shared their activity results and directly proposed policies to the mayor.

Seogu shared the results of the Youth District Participation Group's activities on the 2nd and held a Child Policy Proposal Meeting where they directly proposed policies to the district mayor.
[Photo by Seogu]

This year, Seo-gu operated the 8th Youth District Participation Group, with 26 elementary, middle, and high school students participating. They engaged in policy proposal activities in areas such as ▲educational environment and child welfare ▲transportation ▲culture and tourism ▲climate and environment, urged the enactment of the Basic Child Act, and conducted child rights monitoring.

At the Child Policy Proposal Meeting on the 2nd, the Youth District Participation Group proposed to Mayor Kim Ikang the expansion of psychological medical facilities for children, such as play therapy centers and counseling facilities, expansion of playground equipment, additional installation and designation of traffic lights, crosswalks, and school zones, installation of cooling fog and safe rest areas to prepare for heat waves, and a plogging program led by children.

Mayor Kim Ikang said, “We will actively work on developing a counseling platform and expanding counseling services through professional medical personnel for students stressed by studies and career paths, and also improve playground environments reflecting children’s perspectives and needs.”

He added, “We will strive to build a social safety net for transportation facilities in consultation with the police, and also implement various eco-friendly policies for future generations.”

On this day, the Youth District Participation Group said, “A world where children are happy starts with adults listening to children’s voices,” and requested, “Please create a ‘Together Seo-gu’ where children and adults can freely communicate in homes, schools, and society.”

Mayor Kim also said, “Through various communication channels, we will incorporate the diverse thoughts and opinions of children and youth into district administration, induce positive changes in administration, and take the lead in protecting children’s rights.”