Hanam City Holds 3rd Child Participation Committee Launch Ceremony to Strengthen Child-Friendly City Foundation

Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyun Jae) announced on the 24th that it held the "3rd Hanam City Child Participation Committee Appointment and Launch Ceremony" at the city hall situation room on the 21st, presenting appointment certificates to a total of 20 committee members.

Lee Hyun Jae, Mayor of Hanam City, held the "3rd Hanam City Child Participation Committee Appointment and Launch Ceremony" on the 21st at the city hall situation room. Provided by Hanam City

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The Child Participation Committee is an official participatory body established in accordance with the "Ordinance on Creating a Child-Friendly City in Hanam" and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is a system that guarantees children the opportunity to directly express their opinions in the city's policy-making process. This year, the newly formed third committee has expanded its scope to include first-grade elementary school students, middle school students, and out-of-school youth, allowing for an even wider range of voices to be reflected.

The committee has been actively engaged in activities from a child’s perspective, such as participating in child policy forums, planning and evaluating Children's Day events, and proposing ideas to improve living environments including parks and libraries.

Specifically, the committee has consistently carried out substantial policy proposals and on-site participation activities, including: ▲child abuse prevention campaigns, ▲suggestions for installing AI cameras and CCTVs, ▲participation in surveys on the creation of barrier-free playgrounds, and ▲attendance at groundbreaking ceremonies for children's centers and libraries.

The newly launched third committee members will further strengthen their role in proposing policies for a child-friendly city through regular meetings, discussions, on-site monitoring, and direct planning activities. In particular, starting this year, professional facilitators will participate to expand participatory activities, allowing committee members to independently identify issues and engage in discussions.

The launch ceremony began with education on children's rights, followed by the awarding of appointment certificates, a greeting from the mayor, orientation, and group activities. Programs tailored to children’s perspectives were also prepared so that both children and guardians could understand the committee’s roles and direction of activities.

Mayor Lee Hyun Jae stated, "Children’s voices have the power to make city policies warmer and safer," adding, "We will actively support the incorporation of the committee members’ suggestions into actual policies and projects."

Hanam City plans to continuously expand child-friendly initiatives such as children’s rights education and the establishment of policy delivery systems, focusing on the operation of the Child Participation Committee, in order to strengthen the foundation for a city where children can be happy.

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