Growing up means learning to make your voice heard!

On September 15th, it is not only the start of the school year in Luxembourg but also the International Day of Democracy, established by the United Nations to promote and defend democratic principles worldwide.
At SOS Kannerduerf, children and young people become true little politicians with #KaJuPa (Children and Youth Parliament). They share ideas, debate, and learn what democracy really means.

CHILD PROTECTION AND RIGHTS – A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
― BERND SCHÄFER
A positive development in child protection and children's rights is reflected in the fact that many countries, including Luxembourg, have integrated the participation of children and young people in the ongoing improvement of their protection. These young people naturally want to have a say and influence all decisions affecting their lives. This is an important stage in their development.
Accordingly, the state adapts laws, introduces prevention programs, and encourages cooperation among various institutions. Since July 1, 2023, the principle of children's and young people's participation in decision-making processes affecting them has been enshrined in the Luxembourg Constitution:
"The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all decisions concerning them. Every child has the right to freely express their opinion on all matters affecting them. This opinion shall be given due weight in accordance with the child's age and maturity."

PARTICIPATION AT THE HEART OF OUR PROCESSES
Thus, the participation of children and young people is central to Luxembourgish policy and constitutes one of the main objectives of the national action plan for children's rights "Zesumme fir d’Rechter vum Kand". Beyond these aspects, it is also at the heart of our processes. The participation of beneficiaries and prevention are also core elements of the "National Framework Plan for Child and Family Support," a key reference based, among other things, on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Fondation Lëtzebuerger Kannerduerf continuously works, through its commitment, to improve its child protection concept, promote children's rights, and ensure the widest possible participation of young people in care at the heart of its activities. A pioneering initiative in this regard, the first "Children and Youth Parliament" (KaJuPa) was established in 2019 within SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg. The role of "Child Protection Delegate" was created in parallel.

THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH PARLIAMENT, A KEY INTERLOCUTOR
With KaJuPa, SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg has established an initiative allowing children, adolescents, and young adults from all our facilities to participate in various decision-making processes and exchange ideas on various working themes. KaJuPa representatives are democratically elected under the supervision of child protection delegates for a two-year mandate. The parliament meets regularly in two age groups (up to 11 years and from 12 years) with representatives of the institution to discuss their proposals, express opinions, and exchange information.
KaJuPa is not only a guarantee of lived participation within SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg but also a primary interlocutor for prevention. Topics brought by representatives from the structures, as well as annual themes - participation, democracy, diversity, and protection - are addressed in separate workshops or targeted activities.

KaJuPa is also active beyond the borders of SOS Kannerduerf, participating annually in regional events on children's rights such as "ChiCo Kinderkonferenz" (www.chico.lu) or "KaJuKo - Kinder- und Jugendkonferenz" (prabbeli.lu/de/programme-culturel/2857/kajuko-2024). Furthermore, KaJuPa participates in working groups of the "Zentrum fir politesch Bildung – ZPB," youth council events (www.jugendrot.lu), and the Youth Convention at the Chamber of Deputies, among others.

THE KEY ROLE OF CHILD PROTECTION DELEGATES
Child protection delegates also play a pivotal role. The conceptualization and organization of KaJuPa represent only part of their tasks based on three pillars: protection, information, and prevention.
In all cases of boundary violations or infringements of beneficiaries' rights, delegates are active and committed to targeted care, ensuring proper application of procedures. They continuously train and inform children, young people, and staff on children's rights, child protection, complaint procedures, and related processes. Regarding awareness and prevention, they organize workshops and targeted activities on current topics based on the needs of children and young people.

A NETWORK APPROACH
Beneficiaries are not the only recipients of their activities. For example, during various events such as newcomer integration, KD Connect information platform initiatives, welcoming new arrivals, youth house assemblies, creation of communication materials (videos, flyers, posters, intranet), and more, delegates are actively involved. In the area of well-treatment, they assume the role of coordinators or multipliers. An expansion of awareness and prevention offers targeting children, youth, and staff is planned for 2025.
Delegates also work beyond the organization within a network including, but not limited to, ministerial governance, Children Village International, Bientraitance asbl, justice, police, OKAJU, political training centers, National Youth Council (CGJL - Jugendrot), Bee secure, Respect.lu, National Youth Service (SNJ), and various youth organizations.

CHILDREN AS "EXPERTS" OF THEIR OWN SITUATION
The opinions and viewpoints of young people in care within the Foundation are very important to us. As professionals, their expertise often guides us and is frequently integrated into the pedagogical concepts and programs of SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg. After all, young people are the "experts" of their own life situation. Respecting this allows us to engage together on the path of lived participation and, therefore, lived children’s rights.