On November 20, International Children's Rights Day, the Yvelinois Assembly of Children and Young People for Child Protection presented its priority ideas to improve the daily lives of young people to the Department's decision-makers.
Assembly of Yvelinois children and young people for child protection. ©S.FURRER:/CD78
The meeting room which generally hosts the Departmental Assembly of Yvelines elected officials, saw a whole new audience on November 20, 2024: the representatives of the Yvelines Children and Young People's Assembly. Some were a little intimidated by the solemn side of the place, but most were proud and happy to be there.
They took turns climbing to the perch to present their recommendations intended to improve child protection in Yvelines. A session which ended with a show of hands and a lot of emotion.
Next step, the implementation of these recommendations, which will be integrated into the new departmental child prevention and protection plan.
I hope that adults will hear us, explains a child at this citizens’ assembly.
The ASE saved my life, but it's not easy for everyone. It's important to have a place like the Assembly where we can defend arguments, be listened to and taken seriously, adds a young girl.
This assembly, which came into being on November 8, 2023, is a space for exercising their citizenship. Professionals from the Department and academics from Paris Nanterre brought together children and young people aged 7 to 20 years to exchange, reflect, debate and develop recommendations.
Presentation of the work of the Yvelinois Children and Youth Assembly for child protection. ©S.FURRER:/CD78
One year later, the results are positive: 128 young people, two-thirds of whom were supported by Child Welfare, participated in the process. For those not under the protection of the ASE, it was also a year of discovery of the life of young people in homes or foster families.
Geoffroy Bax de Keating, Deputy Vice-President for Child Protection with representatives of the Yvelinois Assembly of Children and Young People for Child Protection. ©S.FURRER:/CD78
The fruit of all their work was presented to Geoffroy Bax de Keating, Vice-President in charge of child protection on November 20, 2024, the anniversary of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“The consultation with these young people was fascinating and informative,” explains Geoffroy Bax of Keating. “They are able to express themselves very clearly about what is going well, what is not working and what they expect from us to improve their lives.”
Among 93 ideas put forward by young people during the first 4 sessions, 11 were voted as priorities.
“To the attention of those who decide… here are our requests”
– Have a trusted adult
– Respect for our privacy
– Opportunities
– Adults who apply their own advice
– Respect for laws, rules and our rights
– Listening and respecting our opinions
– Safety in our living spaces
– Being able to go on family outings
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