'National Children's Council to mark Universal Children's Day:

Children in policy-making

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Probation and Child Care Services Department will set up the `National Children's Council' (NCC) to mark the Universal Children's Day 2009. This is the first ever Government Forum to be set up in Sri Lanka to secure children's participation in policy-making, Probation and Child Care Services Commissioner Sarath Abeygunawardana told the `Daily News' yesterday.

He said the National Children's Council will enable Sri Lankan children to voice their ideas at National level and convey their ideas, suggestions to the policy and decision-makers of the country. About 100 children from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura and many other areas will be included in the council.

The objective of setting up this council is providing an opportunity for children to contribute their ideas to policies related to them. Through the Council the children will have a significant impact on policy-making.

According to Abeygunawardana, what happens is adults taking all the decisions for children and making policies on behalf of them without consulting the children. Children's ideas should be given a space in all policies related to them. It is one of their rights. Children's Councils have already been set up at Divisional Secretariat division level and district level, he said.

The National Children's Council will ensure protection of their rights, development of their skills and creation of their moral development and thereby ensure the protection of children. Countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh already have this National level forum.