Child Parliament 2026: Day 1 — Finding Their Voice

What happens when children are given the space to speak, learn and be heard?
That was the spirit of Day 1 of the Child Parliament, organized under the EPIC (Engaging Policy Makers in Intersectoral Collaboration) project.

The day began with a fun activity that got the children engaged and ready for a week of conversations about issues that affect them. They were also introduced to the EPIC project and its vision for children:

Every child gets a healthy start in life, right from the early years.
 Local communities get the support they need to build great places for children to grow.
 Adults listen to children when making rules and decisions that matter to them.

With that foundation set, Sustainable Development Alliance (SUSDA) delivered the opening address, followed by an engaging session on Building Confidence.

The children explored three powerful lessons:

1. Your voice matters.
2. Preparation is power.
3. We rise together.

They learnt how to communicate the issues that matter to them, speak with confidence, and understand that their perspectives have a place in important conversations.

The day continued with discussions on children’s rights and safeguarding, alongside more interactive activities and conversations about the basic needs of children.

From laughter and games to meaningful conversations, Day 1 was about more than learning. It was about helping children recognize that they have a voice, their experiences matter, and they deserve to be part of conversations that shape their lives.

And this is only Day 1