CANCELLOR OF JUSTICE AS OMBUDSMAN FOR CHILDREN Members of the advisory body are children under 18 years old, representing different children’s and youth organisations. The advisory body includes representatives from the following organisations: youth assembly of the Estonian Guides Association, the Estonian National Youth Council, the Estonian Scouts Association, Eesti 4H, Organisation of Home Daughters, youth assembly of the Estonian Union for Child Welfare, Young Eagles, the Assembly of Student Councils, the Estonian School Student Councils’ Union, and the association Ühise Eesmärgi Nimel. In 2013, members of the advisory body met three times. One of the recurring topics in all the meetings was local government elections and the expectations of children and young people in connection with them. At the meeting in March, advisers to the Ombudsman explained the principles of local elections. In May, the advisory body in an extended composition discussed issues important for children in connection with local authorities: areas which most affect the daily life of children and possibilities for involvement of children on local level were discussed. Young people participating in the meeting clearly expressed their expectation that more debates on issues important for children should be held on local level and that children and young people should also be involved in such debates. In October, advisers to the Ombudsman introduced to the advisory body a summary compiled of the opinions of children127 and the address of the Ombudsman for Children128 in connection with local elections and involvement of children in shaping local life. PART II An advisory body to the Ombudsman for Children was established in 2011 to involve children in the work of the ombudsman. Participation in the work of the advisory body provides children an opportunity to express their views on issues which they find important and draw the attention of society to problems about which children are concerned. The work of the advisory body is regulated by a statute126. PART III Advisory body to the Ombudsman for Children PART IV 2. PART I important for parents to understand that the sooner they start dealing with a problem the easier it is for a specialist to help them. Materials of the information booklet are available on the homepage of the Ombudsman for Children in Estonian and Russian. The advisory body also continued its discussions and activities concerning the topic of creating a safe school environment and school bullying. During the meeting in March members of the advisory board debated this problem under the guidance of the advisors to the Ombudsman. In May, advisers to the Ombudsman in cooperation with the advisory body carried out workshops on school bullying at the annual meeting of the Estonian School Student Councils’ Union. A prevailing opinion voiced by the pupils during the debates was that schools do not pay sufficient attention to the problem of bullying. According to the pupils, it is important to pay attention to the prevention of bullying. At the same time, it was pointed out that only a few schools have school psychologists and pupils might not always trust them. Pupils also found it important that in addition to subject teaching schools should also shape the values of pupils. A safe school environment should be an important value both for the management and pupils. Pupils also noted that internal evaluations carried out at schools should be public and more attention should be paid to the analysis of developmental conversations with pupils. Since the new school year, several members of the advisory body changed as the previous members reached adulthood and new younger members were admitted. Therefore, during 126 127 128 Available online in Estonian: http://lasteombudsman.ee/sites/default/files/IMCE/nouandva_kogu_statuut.pdf. Available online in Estonian: http://lasteombudsman.ee/sites/default/files/IMCE/laste_ootused_seoses_kov_valimistega_0.pdf. Available online: http://lasteombudsman.ee/en/ombudsman-for-children-children-should-be-more-involvedin-organisation-of-local-life. 59