Shaping our Future

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Children's participation in the National Plan of Action process in Bangladesh and Nepal, 2003

(2004, 21mins, DV-Cam)

A Mila Productions film produced
for
Save the Children
South and Central Asia Region

Children from all over the world involved in the Children's Forum as well as the preparation leading up to the UN General assembly Special Session on Children in May 2002, highlighted the need for children to be fully involved in the follow up of the Special Session and the outcome document. One of the key activities was the involvement in the development, implementation and monitoring of the National Plans of Action (NPA) for Children.

A number of countries in South and Central Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan) have already started to involve girls and boys in the development of their National Plans of Action and partnerships have been built between children, government, NGO's and Civil society. The experiences from these countries clearly indicate that children can be involved in country level decisions and that their contribution is both meaningful and relevant.

This film highlights the active participation of children in the process of formulating the NPA in both Bangladesh and Nepal and the lessons learnt. It captures individual aspirations, collective processes and dialogues between adults and children in planning and shaping their countries' future.

This is just a beginning... a beginning that has evolved in the past, taken shape in the present and promises to become a reality in the future. A reality where all children are involved in determining and moulding not only theirs but their countries' future.

"The whole consultation process was very good and beautiful. From the very beginning we wanted the children's participation in the NPA."

Sajjad Hussain, child participant

"After joining NPA, I grew more confident that my views would be considered."

Sohel, child participant

"My dream is that there should be a place in the world where only laughter of children is heard..."

Asma Akhter, child participant

"I am hopeful that the children will bring proper solutions for children's problems."

Bikas Pariyar, child participant

"The children's presentations were very good. Theirs came from their hearts and souls, where as our presentations were based on what we saw as their problems."

Jeevan Prasad Oli, adult participant

"I think this consultation doesn't end here, it is just the beginning; it will be a success only when, with the children's participation, their problems are solved."

Shahin ara Begum, adult participant

"I request everybody to follow up on what we have done with such hard work, to make sure it is not stuck somewhere."

Padam, child participant