"It is hoped that the government at various levels, national, provincial, district, city to village, can consider the aspirations and views of children in developing various government policies, programs, and activities," she said in a statement released here Monday.
Those aspirations could be realized through the National Children's Forum (FAN), which has been formed at various levels, from national to village levels, and has played an active role in development, she noted.
The Indonesian Government is committed to protecting Indonesian children and fulfilling their rights. "One of the rights of children that the government must fulfill is children's right to participation," she said.
The government's commitment to fulfilling children's right to participation is reflected in Law Number 23 of 2002, which has been updated to Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection, which states that the government is obliged to make an effort and assist children so that children can freely express their views and = participate actively in development.
The PPPA Ministry has specifically regulated children's participation in development through the PPPA Minister’s Regulation Number 1 of 2022 concerning Amendments to the PPPA Minister Regulation Number 18 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of the Children's Forum.
"Children's participation is children's right to be heard by adults as parents, the community, the government, and the state. Listening to children's views can contribute to producing more targeted government policies, programs, and activities," Erni noted.
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In addition, children's participation also contributes positively to children's growth and development because it can improve children's intellectual, emotional, and social intelligence and help them become more confident.
It also supports the country to achieve the 2045 Golden Indonesia goal.
According to her, children make up more than 30 percent of the total population of Indonesia. Thus, their aspirations should be heard and considered.
She explained that development, such as in health, education, environment, infrastructure, social, labor, and economics, is closely related to children's lives, so government policies, programs and activities in those fields will impact children.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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