Notes from the meeting with the Children’s Ombudsman: An opportunity for young people is rising

On April 24, the new Children's Ombudsman met with representatives of non-governmental organizations dedicated to protecting children's rights. Romodrom was also present, focusing on activities such as preventing early school dropouts, running children's groups, and providing social services for families with children. The meeting took place at the Office of the Public Defender of Rights and the Children's Rights Defender in Brno, aiming to introduce the Children's Ombudsman's agenda, past activities, and future vision.

Child rights protection cannot function without actively listening to them. A significant part of the event's program therefore addressed strengthening the participation of young people in decision-making on issues directly affecting them. The Children's Ombudsman's office announced its intention to establish an advisory body during the meeting, actively involving children in its work. They will have the opportunity to share their experiences, opinions, and suggestions, as well as directly influence the topics addressed by the Ombudsman.

What will it look like in practise? Adolescents aged 12 to 18 will be involved in the advisory body. Between 20 and 30 of them will be selected to represent a wide range of life experiences and social situations. The selection process will be based on a public call, set to be announced at the end of April and beginning of May. Romodrom intends to join and support young people to actively participate.If you know young people in your area who are interested in what's happening around them and want to be heard, be sure to tell them about the challenge. Their voice can help improve the environment in which they and their peers grow up, and it can directly contribute to ensuring that children are not just passive recipients of decisions made for them by adults, but active partners.

We appreciate the intention of the children's rights advocate. At the same time, we thank for the very open atmosphere of the entire meeting, the accommodating approach of the organizers, and the space for real discussion and sharing of experiences between organizations and the ombudsman's office. We leave with the feeling that the protection of children's rights is a serious topic and also with hope that the voices of young people will have a stronger place in decisions about their lives in the future.