At the international forum of municipalities friendly to children and youth, Mariupol has approached an honorable status - Candidate of the global initiative “Society Friendly to Children and Youth”. During the second plenary session of the XXXVIII session of the City Council of the VII convocation, it was decided to approve the Action Plan for the implementation of this initiative for 2018-2020.
An obtention of a permanent status makes it possible to set Mariupol as a city where the rights of children and young people are respected. It also provides an opportunity to direct UNICEF investments in the city. This was told by the director of the Mariupol Center for Social Services for the Family of Children and Youth, Nadezhda Astanina. She noted that the implementation of that project is a guarantee that there are no ‘invisible’ children and young people in our society.
To obtain the status, Mariupol made a number of effective steps. In 2017, the analysis of ensuring the rights of children and young people was carried out. These include the rights to health, education, social protection, safety, childhood, recognition, respect and fair treatment. Based on its results, an action plan for 2018-2020 has been drawn up. It aims to realize social well-being and respect the rights of children and youth.
‘Friendly to children and youth society’ unites the city authorities, the public and business. Founded in 1996 with support from UNICEF, Ukraine joined the initiative in 2018. Today, it covers more than 3,000 of municipal districts in 38 countries on five continents.