Children parliament inquires about government actions in favor of children
Young parliamentarians, who are convening this May 23-27 their parliament's second session, asked cabinet members about actions to improve children conditions and promote their rights.
The cabinet members disclosed many moves that their respective departments are considering such as the setting up of local parliaments destined to the management of local affairs along side the local elected representatives, introduction of child rights education, as part of human rights education, and environment education in school syllabi, promulgation of a draft law on socio-medical covering and holding of workshops on means to end the children-beggars phenomenon.
Princess Lalla Meriem (sister of King Mohammed VI), who opened on Thursday the session, read out a message by the Moroccan king who stressed that despite significant strides made in the protection and promotion of children, in realms of education and health, the process is set to be carried on as social problems challenges continue to undermine efforts at the expense of children.
The Royal message called participants, government departments, experts and associations to analyze thoroughly various issues related to injustice against children, identify causes and propose solutions to fight all kinds of child exploitation.
Some 357 children from various Moroccan regions are sitting in the parliament composed of pupils representing the same constituencies as those represented in the adults parliament. A rate of 6% of the parliament members are handicapped children and 4% are deaf-mute children. Four children represent pupils attending foreign schools in Morocco and 6 members represent students of vocational training centers and children of the Moroccan community living abroad.
The children parliament, a unique experience in the Arab states, is a forum of meetings and exchanges and an opportunity for children to express their opinion and propose solutions. This forum is an example of the effort to educate and familiarize citizens at large with the role of modern civil institutions and the government - citizen interaction needed for proper development in an open society.