Majlis Kesejahteraan Masyarakat (MKM) or the Brunei Council on Social Welfare took part in the Preparatory Meeting for the Baseline Study on the Status of Child Participation in the Asean member states held recently in Manila, Philippines, said a press release.

MKM's Executive members Dr Hajah Fatimah binti Haji Awang Chuchu and Norizan binti Haji Mohd Yamin were joined at the event by MKM's young members Hasya Zulaikha binti Haji Awang Hasbollah, 13, and Syazwani Zuhairah binti Mohd Khiruddin, 15.

A common understanding on child participation in different settings, including cyberspace, was extensively discussed.

The Asean Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) representatives, policymakers and members of civil society were consulted on the draft research design of the baseline study, where children's inputs on the objectives and design of the baseline study that were gathered during workshops were also taken into consideration.

The meeting's highlights were the field visits to organisations that promote child participation like 'Bata Muna' or Children First Movement, a loose network of child rights organisation that engages people to discuss and advocate for child-sensitive issues.

Participants of the programme believe that children's participation in decision-making, practised in a manner that is free from pressure and the manipulation and that is consistent with the child's age and maturity, is crucial to the realisation of all other children's rights. Enabling and ensuring meaningful child participation in decision-making in the present set up requires concerted efforts from parents, communities, schools, civil society and the government.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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