Participating in local governance

In Bern, the Children’s Parliament provides children a channel to approach the local government directly with their ideas. The city government must consider each proposal from the Parliament and provide a qualified answer within six months, whether or not a wish or an idea can be realized. The Parliament is central to the city’s ‘regulation on participation for children and young people’, passed by the city parliament in 2003. The Children’s Parliament is open to all children in the city aged 8 to 13, regardless of legal status. A similar Youth Parliament is available for older children and young adults.

In parallel to the Children’s and Youth Parliaments, the city offers the opportunity for young people to pass youth motions to the local government. The motions are often first discussed in the Youth Parliament. After a first consideration and a round of feedback from the government, it is forwarded to the city parliament. There it is discussed in the presence of youth representatives. If the motion is endorsed by the city parliament, it must be implemented within the next year. If not, the government will further consider its feasibility, and must provide an answer within six months.