responsibility for taking care of themselves and their close ones than would be appropriate for
their age.
The special film programme on the rights of the child also included debates in the cinema hall
with participation of different experts on child issues as well as young people concerned by the
topics of the films.
8. Advisory committee to the Ombudsman for Children
An advisory committee 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 committee
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 committee is regulated by a statute.
Members of the advisory committee are children under 18 years old, representing different
children’s and youth organisations. The advisory committee includes representatives from the
following organisations: youth assembly of the Estonian Guides Association, the Estonian
National Youth Council, the Estonian Scouts Association, Eesti 4H, Girls’ corps “Home
Daughters” of the Estonian Defence League, 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 2014, members of the advisory committee met once. The debate focused mostly on school
safety as this is an important topic for young people. A safe childhood is one of the priorities
for the Ombudsman for Children and in the promotional work during the reporting year the
focus was precisely on the issues of bullying-free education.
The discussions also revealed that in the worst cases bullying may last for years. This is also
confirmed by surveys. Disconcerting was the assertion by young people that many children do
not tell about bullying to their parents, or even if they do the parents often do not dare, do not
know how or do not want to interfere. The young people found that if parents were prepared to
interfere this often had a result and the bullied child got help. In the opinion of the young people
discussing and counselling helps. Furthermore, they added that in case of problematic children
it is important to see their positive qualities and to support them – in this regard a lot depends
on the dedication of teachers.
The ideas and opinions expressed by young people gave inspiration to the Ombudsman for
Children in preparing the informational brochure and the website „Bullying-free School“. The
young people also helped in preparing the conference „Bullying-freed Education“ for school
and kindergarten managers. Members of the youth association Eesti 4H belonging to the
Advisory Committee prepared video footage based on observations by pupils about bullying
and recommendations to help make the school environment safer. The summary of the video
footage was also presented at the conference „Bullying-free Education“, with participation of
the authors of the video material.
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