THE HOUSE of Representatives in Nicosia was taken over by prospective legislators of the future yesterday, and some of the issues they raised may even make it to the statute books, the Education Minister said.
The ‘Children’s Parliament’ was meeting for the fifth year in succession to discuss ‘Differences, Discrimination and their Effects on Children’.
House President Demetris Christofias told them of the importance of broaching such topics to help children face economical, physical, social and political challenges.
“The matter of differences and discrimination amongst children is a contemporary problem in Cyprus as we are at a crossroads of different cultures,” he said. “We are at a time when co-existence with Turkish Cypriots, our compatriots, will help towards a solution of the Cyprus problem.”
He also said the increase number of foreigners entering Cyprus from the Far East and Eastern Europe “is something Cypriot citizens must face. We must accept these people and treat them as equals”.
Christofias urged the 56 members of the Children’s Parliament to think about how they would adapt to living with Turkish Cypriots in a unified Cyprus.
Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades was also at the meeting, and afterwards he said the discussions had been held in a mature manner.
“The Ministry will study the matters raised by the children and we do believe that some will be passed as laws,” he said.
“We must look at religion, language and culture among children of various nationalities in a new light by teaching a wider range of history in schools,” Christofias said, adding that children who are not Greek Orthodox should not be made to attend classes on the Orthodox religion unless they wanted to.
He also said some members of the Children’s Parliament would be able to attend House meetings when matters concerning them were discussed.
Issues raised by the children yesterday included a proposal that foreign children at Greek schools also be able to attend some lessons in their own language, better facilities in schools for children with special needs, and a greater say for pupils in the running of schools.
“Our vision is to create a society where there is civil respect and human rights,” said the president of the Children’s Committee, Nicoletta Achilleos.
