Hear from Tea, an active member of our Platform since 2023 who wants more children and teenagers to know how their voices can be heard by the European Union!
The EU has done a great job with the Children's Participation Platform, and it is truly a great opportunity for me to belong there from the start. First, I was a member of the Children’s Panel and after that in the Advisory Board. Because I am now 18, it was recently my last Board meeting, but I hope to stay involved for a bit longer!
Spreading the word
I can’t help noticing that there is not enough information shared in my country about this Platform, and I don’t think it is any different in other countries. If you are not a member of an organisation the Platform is working with, there isn’t much of a chance that you will hear about it.
I truly wanted to change that, so I gave a presentation at my school to my classmates. I am studying as a pharmaceutical technician at a school in Zagreb and am personally part of SOS Children’s Villages Croatia for about 12 years now.
I think it really matters that all the children and young people know what is being done on the EU level because it is there for us, youth. My classmates and my teacher enjoyed the presentation so much that they are interested in me doing another one for them.
Involving even more children
How can children be involved in and participate if they do not know about these possibilities?
Even if they are not in member organisations, they can participate by filling in the surveys that are often on our Platform website.
Already, we have done so much, imagine what the outcome would be if more children were involved in this major project!
I also think that the Platform should work on engaging with more institutions on national level, sharing our work and encouraging more children to participate.
I would be thrilled if others followed as I did and at least spread the word about it in their schools and communities.