Children design the city!
The Greater Dandenong City Council in Victoria, Australia, engages local children to help shape the local city and the experience children have as active participants within it.
In May 2016, the Council invited primary school aged children to participate in a conversation to help shape a City that is child friendly.
More than 80 primary school students took part in the first ever City of Greater Dandenong Children’s Forum.
The children took part in several workshops and fun activities to help gather ideas and opinions on playground design, public space in the city and what they would like to see at family festivals in the future. The children also tackled some of the big issues, including improving health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, diversity and social connection.
Children’s voices will have a big impact, with the results of the discussions being used to help inform the Council’s future planning and decisions.
Children and school staff enjoyed the event and children reported feeling valued: “Being a part of this forum made me feel great because I felt like I had a say…really good to know that they want to hear our ideas too!” and “This forum made me feel more included in our community”.
Second article & video coming soon explaining the following:
- What are critical enablers of children’s consultation
- Who are the principal stakeholders involved in the process
- What children have said and how to capture their voice
- How children’s voices have made a difference in the City of Greater Dandenong!
- Video demonstrating children’s voice in planning local city
Visit the City do Greater Dandenong website to learn more about our commitment to creating a Child Friendly City.
Author: Kirsty Saunders, Children Services Development Officer, The City of Greater Dandenong
Responsible for the implementation and review of the Greater Dandenong Children’s Plan and Child Friendly City strategy.
Photo Credit: photo by Dandenong Journal
