"I would like to tell you and everyone present here that young people are the future of Montenegro only when they take responsibility for the present, that is why it is important that young people are represented more in the decision-making process and that at least as an advisory body they are taken into account when they are made any important decisions for the state of Montenegro, but also decisions related to young people in general", is the message of the participant of the Simulation of the work of the Parliament, Mitar Paunović, who was heard yesterday in the Assembly during the conversation of the young people with the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Aleks Bečić and the head of the UNICEF representative office in Montenegro by Juan Santander.
High school students recommended that students also get involved in the work of the Parliament of Montenegro and find a place in higher positions on the election lists, as well as that they be given more opportunities to deal with issues that are of key importance to them. They also said that they want more opportunities to participate in the decision-making process on policies and laws that determine the quality of their lives both today and in the future.
Bečić promised that he will continue to support that the voice of young people is heard more and that they are included in the decision-making process and manage the processes in Montenegro. He pointed out that young generations should learn from an early age that the essence is in dialogue, tolerance, respect for all the differences on which Montenegro rests and that you should always look for a compromise.
"I encourage, I encourage, that's what I fight for, that's what I stand for, that's why I got into politics at one time, precisely to ensure that young people have a place in society that belongs to them," said Bečić.
The head of the UNICEF representative office in Montenegro, Juan Santander, pointed out that in various countries the right to vote in elections is acquired at different ages, but that it is certainly crucial that, regardless of whether someone is 16, 18 or 100 years old, everyone has the right to participate in decision-making processes about their lives. That right also brings responsibility, Santander said.
"This means that you have to use that right to vote in a very responsible way, which means that you have to inform yourself, develop certain skills, understand the system as you do today and make a decision based on that information and actively participate in the work and life of a society. Practically every society functions in this way, to the benefit of each of us. The sum of all of us is greater than the sum of the individuals," Santander pointed out.
Participant Nađa Lalović was interested in how the Parliament of Montenegro and UNICEF will contribute to this project reaching as many young people as possible, and whether a simulation of the work of the parliament can be introduced through a compulsory subject in school, so that the topics discussed during the two-day simulations reached as many young people as possible.
Bečić replied that everything that was the subject of work and study during this two-day event should find a place in the education system.
"We are a country of parliamentary democracy, parliamentarism is something that is the basis of our Constitution and our system and the democratic maturation we are going through, and I think that young people, that our young high school students should learn much more about parliamentarism, because it seems to me that and helped you in all these and previous days and months while you prepared for this event, to see and understand, and we learn about it every day, the essence of dialogue and somewhere as far as possible and as necessary to reach a compromise, as necessary to respect differences", said Bečić.
Santander said that these types of simulations should be offered to every child across the country, and that UNICEF will continue to support the Assembly of Montenegro to make this initiative even better every year and to enable the participation of adolescents with different life experiences from all parts of the country. UNICEF calls for an increase in public financing of initiatives with active participation of young people in society, because all state institutions have the responsibility to support this and thus strengthen trust in institutions among young people. Santander pointed out that it is especially important to include members of the most vulnerable groups, such as girls and boys growing up in poverty, members of minorities, adolescents with developmental disabilities, etc.
"Precisely this diversity, as the President of the Assembly said, is an opportunity to expand our knowledge. Socio-emotional skills and respect for human rights and seeing diversity as a value are of fundamental importance in order to achieve meaningful participation of all parts of society in the life of a country," said Santander.
Certificates of participation in the program were presented by Bečić to high school students.
The deputies of the Parliament of Montenegro, who were in the role of mentors, Maja Vukićević, Boris Mugoša, Marko Milačić and Dejan Đurović also contributed to the successful implementation of the Simulation.
During the two-day work, the students of the "Slobodan Škerović" Gymnasium and the "Mirko Vešović" High School of Economics had the opportunity to learn about the process of passing the law in all its stages. High school students simulated work at the constituent session, in parliamentary clubs, work in working bodies and at the plenary session, with the help of the Assembly Service.
The simulation of the work of the parliament is being realized for the first time this year in the Parliament of Montenegro, as a result of the cooperation between the Educational Center of the Parliament of Montenegro and the representative office of UNICEF in Montenegro.
The UNICEF representative office in Montenegro provides financial and expert support in the pilot phase of implementation, after which the parliamentary Educational Center will implement the program with its own capacities.
Bonus video:
