5 days ago
Programme empowers children to express opinions
Muscat: The Ministry of Social Development organised a two-day discussion panel on building a framework to empower and develop children's capacities for dialogue, discussion and expressing opinions.
The panel included several government institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations involved in the child sector.
The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of children's right to participate and express opinions within an official framework. This was achieved by examining the current status of children's participation in various institutions using a fact-finding methodology and evaluating the level of participation compared to regional and international practices.
The panel also framed Omani experiences in light of legislation, technical and training capabilities, seeking to build a shared understanding of best practices and chart sustainable institutional paths that guarantee children's right to participate at both the central and decentralised levels. This would enhance the integration of children's voices into national policies and programmes.
The ministry stated that the panel discussed a number of topics highlighting pioneering experiences in the field of child empowerment and enhancing their community participation. The sessions began with a discussion panel for students, during which they reviewed the experience of the Leadership Development Programme and the experiences of members of the Arab Children's Parliament. They also discussed Oman's debates from a child's perspective and the "Knights of Al Bayan" experience in community and summer centres.
Several academic papers were presented. In the first paper, the Ministry of Education discussed the role of student councils, which are vital platforms within educational institutions enabling students to express their opinions and actively participate in developing their academic and social environment.
The second paper, presented by the State Council, addressed its role in implementing Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which stipulates that "States Parties shall ensure to the child the right to express his or her views freely on all matters affecting him or her, his or her views being given due weight in accordance with his or her age and maturity."
Furthermore, the session featured a range of projects and experiences in the child sector. The Ministry of Social Development presented the "Child Ambassadors" project, implemented by the Department of Social Development in Al Buraimi Governorate. The project aims to empower a select group of children to become informed representatives of their peers, able to express their issues and convey their voices in influential ways within their school and community environments, while fully adhering to the principles derived from the Omani Child Law and relevant international agreements. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation also reviewed the experience of student advisory councils, while the Oman Debate Centre presented the experience of children's debates in the Sultanate of Oman.
