Raising Children’s Voice in Post MDG 2015 Discussion

By Shintya Kurniawan, World Vision Indonesia communicator

Two years prior to the end of Millennium Development Goals, a series of discussions & events are arranged in international, regional, national, and community levels. Even the United Nations had form a special working group who focuses on a global partnership framework. This working group will try to collaborate with stakeholders to address universal emerging problems which the world is facing today.

The High Level Panel of Eminent Persons (HLPEP) on The Post-2015 Development Agenda has 27 members, including The Republic of Indonesia’s President - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, UK’s Prime Minister– David Cameron, Liberia’s President – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and also Queen Rania of Jordan. The HLPEP was declared on duties by July 2012, and they had had four meetings at New York, London, Monrovia, and the last one in Bali.

On the latest discussion which took place at Nusa Dua, Bali, 25 -27 March 2013, HLPEP considered insights and recommendations from many groups and organizations, including children & youth’s voices. World Vision in collaboration with Save The Children had facilitated three children ambassadors from Indonesia and India who shared their opinions in front of the HLPEP’s representatives.

This trio; Amar, Irwa, and Anto, are prepared and ready to speak up their mind on post MDG 2015 since they had discussed the same topic in their children forum for many months in advance. The result of their previous discussions were sharpened and delivered in front of Civil Society Organisations and several HLPEP members, such as: Patricia Espinosa – Mexico’s Foreign Affair Minister, Michael Anderson –David Cameron’s representative, and Amina J. Mohammad - Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning of Nigeria.

This historical moment took place at The Westin, Bali, on March 25th 2013 – the first day of the HLPEP meeting. The three topics which Irwa, Anto, and Amar shared are related to inequality, fragility, and health issue. Amar shared about Inequality in access to education for children with disabilities. Anto shared his concern on Reproductive health rights for youth. Irwa shared her view on Inequality in participation;Child participation in decision-making processes.

The trio expressed their ideas without any hesitation and doubt in their own native language (Tamil & Indonesian), while their chaperones translated their thoughts & the guests’ responses in English.

World Vision believes that children’s voices need to be considered in global partnership decision making process. Children like Anto, Irwa, and Amar have the rights to speak up their mind. This idea is well-received by Ms. Mohammed & Ms.Espinosa at the side event. However, our journey has not finished yet, remembering the latest communiqué from the HLPEP member has not include children & youth’s recommendation as their top priority. Citizens of the world, including children, may share their concern and insights in determining the next MDG phase by accessing http://www.worldwewant2015.org/ website.

Still related with MDG, our friends in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, received a great news. Their Harmony Education initiative – Poso’s society collective effort to build children’s inclusive character through education – received second place in MDG Award for education category. The award is an appreciation from Indonesia President’s Special Envoy on Millennium Development Goals.

The award was presented in Bali, 26 March 2013. Harmony Education initiative was launched to answer Poso’s residents’ needs for reconciliation after the traumatic interfaith conflict in 1998-2000. Many are committed to build and develop the children inclusive character in their area, including religious and faith-based organizations.

Wahana Visi Indonesia – a partner of World Vision, along with the Central Sulawesi provincial government, initiated a working group to conduct a program to promote the children inclusive character in Central Sulawesi. The institutions invited to be a part of the working group were: Dinas Pendidikan Provinsi Sulawesi Tengah (The Provincial Education Bureau), Dinas Pemuda dan Olah Raga Kabupaten Poso (The District Youth and Sport Bureau), Muhammadiyah (one of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia), GKST (Central Sulawesi Christian Church), and Tadulako University of Central Sulawesi. 

“This initiative was launched in 2009 and still going on to this day. At first, it was piloted in 7 schools, today it has been replicated in 31 schools in Central Sulawesi. Harmony education looks at existing local values that promotes harmony values, active participation, and incorporates it to the standard national education curriculum. Through this process, harmony education contributes to strengthen local wisdom and local capacities for inclusiveness,“ said David Ola Kia, the education team leader of World Vision Indonesia.

Harmony Education resulted some positive outcomes, such as the rise of child participation in classrooms, teachers who become more confident in dealing with kids with special needs, a decrease in physical punishment for students, and also self respect among the education staffs at various levels.