Our team flew to Opatija, Croatia to attend the Eurochild Conference. During the conference we took part in talks and speeches, we met with young people and children from all over Europe, we heard stories that touched us and we were inspired by people’s interest in children and their rights. We were able to envision a Europe and a world where our rights will be secured, where our voice can be heard in all decision-making centres, so that we can ultimately influence the decisions that affect us. We Young Journalists and our fellow correspondents from Ireland, Germany, Croatia, Hungary and Malta are ready and through the pages of Migratory Birds we will continue to express our views on all matters affecting our lives.
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Name: Koppany, Botond, Oliver
Age: Youth
Country: Hungary
Topic: Education in Hungary
Title: Opinion on Hungarian education
Who do you want to read your article: Members of Eurochild
The Hungarian education system uses totally different methods than highly developed countries. Public schooling relies on a hierarchy between teacher and student and lacks interactive methods and teamwork.
Governmental influence is very strong as all financial support comes from the government itself. It tends to change the educational system all the time with the national curriculum designed to suit its own preferences. The government pretends to care about public opinion and has nominally asked students and teachers for their observations on the newest edition (September 2018) of the curriculum but actually we weren’t able to read it because of its length and the unfamiliar, child unfriendly language.
We, students wanted to express our disagreement by demonstrating, but our voice was ignored by the authorities. The supporters of the government reacted to the demonstrations, saying that children should not involved in public decision-making, mainly because of their age.
Although we believe that the current situation is unacceptable, we hope for a brighter future.
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Name: Amelie, Britta, Rania
Age: 12, 31, 23
Country: Germany, Greece
Topic: Ball Rights
Title: Ball Rights Count
Who do you want to read your article: Everybody, All Kinds of Balls (That’s very important)
It’s important that everyone has rights, even a ball has rights.
Every ball has the right to jump, to bounce, to sleep, to wait in a bag. The right to be free to play with children, to meet other balls, to learn about ball rights, to protest for them, to go to a ball school, play games, to feel safe, to be different, to be protected by their players.
How do all the different kinds of balls get their rights?
They can demonstrate (protest).
They can campaign.
They can talk to politicians.
They can make a petition on Instagram (social media).
They can make their voices heard.
They can form a ball council.
They can go on social media.
Why is it important?
It is important because a ball is always neglected. That is not fair.
If we can hear a ball, why can’t we hear a child?
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Name: Brian
Age: 16
Country: Ireland
Topic: Family abuse towards children
Title: How young children cope with abuse
Who do you want to read your article: Whoever has been abused by their parents
I have been abused by my parents my whole life but there was a day when I said enough is enough and I left. A few days after leaving my house I stayed at my best friend’s house. Then we went to Garda station (police) when I was ready.
After going to the station I was assigned to a social worker and put in a foster home. But I have two other brothers and I sometimes get very depressed. I ask myself if I made the right decision leaving them alone, even though I know I have, I can’t stop feeling bad. So, the trouble I am having is now is how to cope with this problem.
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