ADOLESCENT PARTICIPATION TRANSCENDS BORDERS
The
participation of minors within the construction of citizenship and the
impact on public policies is one of the central themes of the 20th
Pan-American Congress on Children and Adolescents and the First
Pan-American Forum of Children and Adolescents (Lima, Peru from the
21st - 25th of September). Sixty adolescents between the ages of 12 and
17 have taken part in this activity which was organized by the
Instituto Interamericano del Niņo, Niņa y Adolescente.
An
adolescent that formed part of Costa Rica's delegation was Javier
Segura. During the Congress he received a moment to talk about the
current situation of children and adolescent rights in his country and
to clarify the support that adolescents are able to provide local
governments within an intergenerational process.
Javier's participation with other adolescents has allowed a widening of
adults' vision, the generation of creative and innovative ideas, and
the recognition of the fact that adolescents seek to contribute their
abilities to generate changes within their communities.
Congratulations to Javier and all the other adolescents for being a
part of their communities' active citizenship! Now it is time to share
his experiencies beyond our borders!
