Members of Montenegrin Children Parliament call on their MPs for more dedication to children issues

Fifth session of the Children’s Parliament was held in Montenegrin Parliament on December 2^nd in Podgorica, where Parliament Speaker, Ranko Krivokapic, greeted about 50 girls and boys, primary and high school students gathered to ask questions and share opinions with their MPs and representatives of various minitries and Ombudsman Institution.

“You have many questions. I am sure there will be no enough of answers, but I would be happy as you would if at least half of things promised here are achieved,” said Krivokapic in his address to Children Parliament.

8th grade student from Pljevlja, Slobodan Markovic, reflected on previous sessions of the Children Parliament and what has been achieved since. „We asked ourselves what we, children, did for last five years for children of Montenegro. We reminded you year after year of problems we are facing with. We listened to your answers, some we understood, some were so general we didn't know what to expect.“ In continuation, Slobodan reminded of some major achievements and what still needs to be done, including working on issues of poverty, inclusion of all children (children with disabilities, minorities, etc.), support to children living in dysfunctional families, lack of kindergartens for children in rural areas, overcrowded schools, quality content for free time in local communities, e.g. cultural centres, cinemas, sport terrains, bicycle tracks, adequate TV programs, etc.

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Vesfije Tusa, fourth grade high school student from Bar used this opportunity to warn that still many Roma children remain illiterate and without education. According to her knowledge, only she and four other girls from her family are enrolled in high schools out of total Roma population in Bar, where they are exposed to rejection and discrimination. „Even the small numbers of Roma who complete high school have no conditions or means to enrol to faculties, in spite of their ambitions. Therefore, I ask from the Parliament to ensure inclusion of higher number of Roma children in primary and high school education, as well as fo more employment possibilities.”

Boys and girls participating at 5th session of the Children’s Parliament came from 19 (out of 21) municipalities in Montenegro as representatives of their peers. Every child is asking relevant Minister or Government or Member of Parliament for a specific issue which affect them and their peers. This session was concluded with Parliament's commitment to ensure fulfilment of the requirements set out by the children until the next Children's Parliament session and follow up of the implementation  will be made on regular basis.

The first session of Montenegrin Children parliament was held in 2009 (on the occasion of 20^th anniversary of UN Concention on Rights of the Child), initiated and supported by Save the Children, in cooperation with Centre for Child Rights Montenegro.