Why Was the Nowon-gu Youth Public Facility Built?

Recruitment of Children and Youth Under 18 for Participation in Construction and Design of Local Youth-Related Public Facilities Until the 25th... Basic Architecture Education Provided Before Actual Participation in Construction and Remodeling... UNICEF Child-Friendly City Nowon Expands Participation Opportunities Through Children's Council and Committees

Summer Harmony Center - Custom Furniture (Bookshelf and Bench)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is promoting the 'I am also an Architect' project to actively reflect the opinions of users when creating facilities related to children and adolescents, and is recruiting participants until the 25th.

The district has been conducting the project since 2019 to increase the utilization of facilities by collecting the opinions of children, the actual users, from the architectural design stage, and to expand opportunities for children and adolescents to participate in district administration.

Children and adolescents selected as 'I am also an Architect' will participate in the design and interior design of facilities such as the children's library and child welfare center, which are being remodeled this year, provide their opinions, and play a role in monitoring.

An educational program has also been prepared to equip participants with the basic knowledge necessary for 'I am also an Architect' activities. They can learn theories about architecture and space, practice reading architectural drawings, sketching, using simple programs, and experience actual sites through field trips.

Participants must be children and adolescents under 18 years old who either reside in Nowon-gu or attend school in the area. This year, about 15 participants will be selected, with a term of two years from the appointment date and one possible renewal. Certificates of commendation will be awarded to actively participating children and adolescents.

Those who wish to participate can apply through the 'I Have Something to Say!' menu on the Nowon-gu Office website by the 25th, and selected individuals will be contacted individually on the 29th. For other inquiries, contact the Nowon-gu Office Child and Youth Division for guidance.

Children and adolescents who participated in last year's project took part in the creation of the Hagye Eoullim i-Hu Center and children's library, which opened in December. As a result of discussions on space composition and utilization plans, the use of stair spaces, furniture design, and arrangement were actively reflected.

Going forward, the district plans to involve 'I am also an Architect' in the construction and remodeling of all public facilities related to children and adolescents to collect and reflect their opinions as much as possible.

In addition, to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents and reflect their voices in policies, participants are also being recruited for the 'Children's Council' and the 'Child and Youth Participation Committee.'

The Children's Council targets those under 18 years old and organizes standing committees by field, operating in the same way as the actual district council, to enact ordinances necessary for children and learn about related budgets.

The Participation Committee consists of children and adolescents under 24 years old and will propose related policies and projects through regular discussions, receive budgets, and actually implement projects.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “When it comes to facilities for children and adolescents, the opinions of the users themselves, the children, must be reflected as much as possible rather than those of adults,” and added, “We will continue to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents and provide various opportunities for policy participation so that their voices can be realized in the public domain.”