Possibilities of local communities in the realization of children’s rights from children’s perspective

Lokalne zajednice važan su čimbenik u pozitivnom razvoju djece, pa tako i u zaštiti njihovih prava. U suvremeno vrijeme lokalne zajednice poimaju se sve više i kao mjesta za aktivnu građansku participaciju, pa tako i za participaciju djece. Djeca su prepoznata kao društvena skupina i resurs zajednice, odnosno kao dionici koji svojim prijedlozima i inicijativama mogu unaprijediti život zajednice. Stoga je aktivno uključivanje djece, barem na razini konzultacija, postalo nova praksa u mnogim zajednicama. U radu se prikazuje istraživanje provedeno s djecom stanovnicima triju gradova/ općina u Hrvatskoj. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi kako djeca u određenim lokalnim zajednicama vide njihove kapacitete u zadovoljavanju svojih potreba. Primijenjen je kvalitativni istraživački pristup. Rezultati pokazuju da djeca visoko vrjednuju uređen i lijep okoliš, osjećaj sigurnosti te dostupnost usluga, pa im se suprotno tome ne sviđa kad ovi aspekti nisu zadovoljeni u dovoljnoj mjeri. Djeca posebno ističu socijalni aspekt života u svojim zajednicama: dobre odnose, solidarnost te u tom smislu misle da bi njihovi gradovi i općine trebali biti bolji. U odnosu na vlastitu participaciju u svojoj lokalnoj zajednici djeca misle kako nisu prepoznata kao važni sudionici te kako ne utječu na donošenje odluka.Local communities are an important factor in positive development of children and thus in the protection of their rights. In contemporary societies, local communities are increasingly perceived as places for active civil participation that includes active participation of children. Children are recognized as a social group and community resource, as stakeholders who can enhance life of the community through their proposals and initiatives. Therefore, active involvement of children, at least at the consultation level, has become a new practice in many communities. This paper presents a study conducted with children in three cities/municipalities in Croatia. The aim of the study was to investigate how children perceived capacity of communities to meet their needs. A qualitative research was applied. The results showed children to appreciate tidy and nice environment, the sense of security and availability of services in the community. When these elements were not fulfi lled suffi ciently, children were not satisfi ed. Children especially emphasised social aspect of life in their communities, i.e. good relationships and solidarity; in this particular aspect, children believed that their cities and municipalities should have done better. In relation to their own participation in local community, children considered that they were not recognized as important stakeholders and had no infl uence on decision-making