CM Udaasi and LC Jain hail children's efforts to revolutionise Rural Karnataka

C.M. Udaasi and L.C. Jain with children releasing the book entitled ‘Makkala Panchayat Protocol’

“Children are not only discussing and trying to solve their problems through the Makkala Panchayat, but they are also showing the adults how to run the government with harmony.”

 “This process is underway in only 56 Panchayats, the Government is trying to expand it to the rest of the State.”

C.M. Udaasi, Minister, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj

 So said C.M. Udaasi while releasing the book ‘Makkala Panchayat Protocol’ at a consultation entitled 'Mainstreaming Informed Participation of Children in Governance' on 11 December. The Makkala Panchayat in Karnataka is an elected body of children, the first structure of its kind, which came into existence in 1995. Over the years, the members of Makkala Panchayats have developed their own protocol. This protocol has been drafted by the members of the Makkala Panchayat, all of who are children between the ages of 6 – 18. The Protocol defines consists of rules related to elections, procedures for holding their meetings at both the ward-level and the village-level as well as procedures for conducting Makkala Panchayat Grama Sabhas.

 L.C. Jain, former ambassador to South Africa and former member of Planning Commission released another book at the same event entitled “Taking a Right Turn: Children Lead the way in Research”. During 2002, children in Kundapur conducted an extensive research on their transport, mobility and access problems. ‘Taking a Right Turn’ is a research document on the basis of their experience, focusing on why children should do their own research and the methodology of children doing their own research.

 The children who were involved in preparing the Makkala Panchayat Protocol and in the research concerning their transport issues made presentations about the two publications.

 A very senior Mongolian Delegation headed by M.Togtokhnyam, the Chairperson of National Children's Commission of Mongolia was also present at the event. The chairperson described in vivid detail about how children’s participation has been mainstreamed in the Mongolian government, with the Prime Minister taking the lead in ensuring that children’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed. CWC has been working with the government of Mongolia and UNICEF to enable children’s participation in governance in Mongolia

 This meeting was organised by the Concerned for Working Children (CWC).