The Children’s Parliament is meant to provide sustainable and meaningful opportunities for children to engage in local, national and international democratic processes. It has enabled children from all backgrounds and of all abilities to work together to share and compare notes and experiences that make active citizenship a reality.

The First Session of Namibia’s Children’s Parliament (2007) set out as its primary objectives the following:

• Deepening the understanding of parliamentary democracy;
• Engaging young people in governance issues;
• Creating linkages with others on the continent;
• Creating a platform values, and
• Championing the spread of rights of the underprivileged.

Learners from all thirteen (13) Regions were represented. As required by convention, all children MPs were sworn in by the Secretary of the National Assembly.

The debates on the Motions accepted were lively and stimulating. It was heartening to note that young people were interested in distinctly Namibian, African and international issues. A platform had been created to encourage, nurture and develop a culture for young people to be exposed to issues of national concern.

The young MPs discussed topics including HIV-AIDS and how children in Namibia are affected by the pandemic, school dropouts, how to improve Grade 10 pass rates, lack of discipline in schools and street children.