One of the groups at work. Photo: RONI BRMALJ
“Politics is anything but boring, the bodies that it embraces in its structures somehow shape our lives, create the appearance of our society. We are happy to welcome you and I hope that your involvement today will make this dynamic world of decisions for the common good interesting to you.” This is how Mayor Marko Filipović greeted the young people present at the opening of the “Action vote 5!” event. (Akcija za 5!) organized by the City of Rijeka in collaboration with the Delta association.
And it’s true! It is a well-established fact that young people in Croatia are skeptical towards politics, but at the same time they expect it to solve all their problems. Well, it doesn’t work like that: then young people should approach politics closely. And there couldn’t be a better opportunity than participating in the 19th edition of the event. In addition to Mayor Filipović, Luka Čanković, president of the Youth Council of the City of Rijeka, as well as Sara Sušanj and Ema Žufić, welcomed and welcomed the 40 students from 13 secondary schools in Rijeka present in the council chamber yesterday. , executive directors of the Delta association.
The aim of the project was to offer young people aged between 14 and 19 the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to actively participate in decision-making processes at local level.
The young people had the opportunity to take on the role of decision makers and, for the first time, they were able to stay in the city administration of Rijeka and dialogue with the city’s employees.
“I hope that this day here is pleasant for you and that you make the most of it, we are at your disposal for any questions. Give your best,” said Čanković.
The children found ways to encourage the active participation of citizens in a democratic society. The students’ project proposals could follow two directions: public campaigns (to inform young people or carry out activities to convince those who make decisions) or educational activities (lessons and games on politics).
“We believe it is important to teach young people how to make decisions, and the right way to do this is to bring them to the places where decisions are actually made, such as council chambers and municipal administration offices,” said Sušanj.
The activity, which lasted throughout yesterday, was divided into two parts: in the morning we saw the work of six teams busy conceiving their first project proposals and selecting the best project that they will ultimately carry out.
In the afternoon the simulation of the work of the City Council began. Each group had to choose its own representatives and a member of each group then joined the specially formed Student Council, which evaluated the project proposals according to pre-established criteria.
Within this Council, projects were presented, several questions were asked and many interesting comments were made, obviously from one representative at a time. During the exhibitions, the young people also had access to a technical body that provided them with feedback on their ideas. In this capacity, almost like a jury, Marta Hauser and Tamara Fabac from the Rijeka Volunteer Center of the Smart Association, the representative of the Department for Education, Culture, Sports and Youth of the City of Rijeka, the president of the Youth Council of the City of Opatija Ena Knežević Tončinić and the already mentioned Čanković.
During the day, the students were able to count on the help of trained volunteer coordinators and the support of city officials. The activity was organized in two phases: in the morning, the teams worked on their first project proposals, finally choosing the best project to carry forward. In the afternoon, the City Council simulation allowed representatives of each group to present their projects and ask questions and comments to the others.
A team of experts attended the presentations, providing feedback on the children’s ideas and comments on their debating and presentation skills. In the evening, the winning team was announced: David Kvaternik, Vid Samsa, Dino Petrinić, Marta Maglica, Matej Faležić, Paola Sara Mateša, Mia Žužić and Adam Katalinić with the project “Political Literacy Day” (Dan političke pismenosti ). The team was coordinated by mentor Valentina Dukić. To carry out the project, he was awarded 670 euros from the city budget and made a commitment to complete it by the end of the year with the support of trained mentors.
It should be noted that there was also a group of journalists who followed the entire event and committed to creating media content on the theme “Action vote 5!” and on the atmosphere within the Council Chamber.
In short, a beautiful event that satisfied everyone, especially young people, and which in the previous 18 years involved more than 1,100 young high school students, over 120 volunteers in the role of group coordinators. In Rijeka alone, young people have implemented, thanks to funds from the city budget, 18 different projects on as many themes: from volunteering, to information, to media literacy, to mental health, up to sustainable clothing. An event truly worthy of praise and admiration.
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