The Government of the 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.

Thus, the First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi begins with realization of the project Building culture for children’s participation financed by European Commission, as part of the program for European instrument for democracy and human rights – (EIDHR).

With the activities foreseen in this 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.

The network of seven Citizen’s Organizations is already made and consists of the groups of 10-12 children, from 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 network of the seven Citizen’s Organizations consists of: 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.

Shadow report on the situation of the children’s rights in Macedonia

During November 2009, Macedonia will send the state report for the children’s rights to UN, the Committee for Rights of the Child in Geneva. The citizen’s organizations should send the shadow report which 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 Rights of the Child. 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 governmental organizations and the children about the methodology, indicators and tools for work.

First children’s conference in Macedonia

The first children conference is also envisioned as an activity of the project. 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 overall objective of the project Building the culture of children’s participation is to strengthen the capacity of NGO’s and children in monitoring and reporting of child’s rights situation at the local and national level in Macedonia.

The purpose with this project is enabling NGOs & children to continually follow up the status of the implementation of child rights in Macedonia and to advocate for full implementation of CRC and other international instruments and optional protocols at local and national level.

More information:

The Megjashi Embassy – official website