President Nangolo Mbumba has urged children's parliamentarians to deliberate on crucial issues and to advocate outcomes that will positively impact the rights of children.
These issues include the 4th Industrial Revolution, Green Hydrogen, Blue and Green economies, and the discovery of oil in Namibia.
Dr. Mbumba officially opened the 6th Children's Parliament today.
The outcomes of the previous sessions of the Children's Parliament had affected the adoption and implementation of policies such as the Learner Pregnancy Policy.
The Learner Pregnancy Policy ensures that many teenage mothers are allowed to return to school and complete their education after childbirth.
President Mbumba further noted that the 2019 session culminated in an increase in the disability grant for orphans and vulnerable children, from N$250 to N$1,300.
Another milestone was the passing of the Child Rights, Welfare, and Empowerment Act of 2015.
Dr. Mbumba urged the young aspiring lawmakers to use the current session's debates to tackle contemporary issues, particularly in the education sector.
"I trust that the 6th session will result in similar positive outcomes on issues such as national examination results, Grade 11 examination failure rates, inefficient education resource usage and distribution, low access to education in rural communities; an increase in boys dropping out of school, and others. I also hope that you will deliberate during this session on new issues such as digitalisation, the 4th Industrial Revolution, Green Hydrogen, Blue and Green economies, and the discovery of oil in Namibia. On the part of the government, a lot has been done to improve the lives and safety of Namibian children through laws passed by Parliament and regular interventions made."
Since its inception, the Children's Parliament has served as a platform for the youth to get a taste of decision-making, as envisioned by the late Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab.
President Mbumba acknowledged both Gurirab and the founding speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Mose Tjitendero, for their foresight in preparing children for leadership roles.
He also commended the current Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Katjavivi, as well as the Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha.
"Building on the foundations laid by your predecessors, you have excellently continued to mould Namibian children in legislation making, leadership, patriotism, and all the qualities we require for a strong democracy and an inclusive Namibian House. Early preparation and training of our young people for leadership in society is the best heritage we can bequeath to them. In this way, they will maintain a united, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Namibian nation long after we, the elders, are gone."
"We have moved from two learners per region to four, with specific emphasis on gender representation and the inclusion of physically challenged learners as well as those from marginalised communities."
Professor Katjavivi stressed that the Children's Parliament has attracted international recognition, having been invited to the sessions of the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union.