First Among Metropolitan Cities... Recognized for Institutionalizing Child Policies
The Only City Nationwide Where Both the City and All Five Districts Are Certified
Kang Kijeong, mayor of Gwangju, is taking a commemorative photo after receiving the 'Child-Friendly City Higher Certification' from UNICEF at the city hall business room on the morning of the 23rd. Provided by Gwangju City
Gwangju City is establishing itself as a leading city in child-friendly policies, having become the first among the six metropolitan cities to obtain the 'UNICEF Child-Friendly City Higher Certification.' In particular, Gwangju is the only city nationwide where not only the metropolitan government but also all five autonomous districts have received certification, further highlighting the significance of its collaborative achievements.
On June 23, Gwangju City announced that it had received the 'Child-Friendly City Higher Certification' from the Korean Committee for UNICEF on June 20. A 'UNICEF Child-Friendly City' refers to a local government that fully realizes children's rights based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and has established systems and administrative frameworks to ensure children can enjoy a better quality of life.
The UNICEF Child-Friendly City Higher Certification is awarded to regions that have demonstrated achievements in child-related policies over four years after receiving the 'initial certification.' This is a higher-level certification that is distinguished from the initial certification or simple renewal.
Since first obtaining certification in December 2019, the city has continuously promoted relevant policies and systems to guarantee children's rights and create a safe environment for children's growth.
The Korean Committee for UNICEF conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the current status, plans, and implementation results based on five main areas and 15 detailed criteria: securing evidence for policy decisions, establishing sustainable governance, child participation and rights education, effective adjustment of administrative services, and creating child-friendly spaces. The validity period of this higher certification is four years, until June 2029.
The city was recognized not only for achieving tangible results in all areas?including realization of children's rights and policy institutionalization, guaranteeing child participation, child rights education, and the operation of an ombudsperson?but also for its systematic efforts to institutionalize these achievements.
Since 2021, the city has separated the Children's Council from the Youth Council to expand opportunities for younger children to participate in administration, and has continued to strengthen the foundation for child participation by operating the nation's first metropolitan-level Youth Council elected through direct elections.
In fact, of the 69 policy proposals made by the Children's Council and Youth Council, 47 (68%) have been reflected in city administration, and a total of 17 participatory budgeting projects proposed by children have been implemented.
The city is also actively promoting policies closely linked to daily life that consider the life cycle of children, in addition to systematizing rights education through various programs such as training child rights instructors and developing educational content.
For the first time in the country, Gwangju has implemented policies such as the 'Grandchild Caregiver Program' and the '10 a.m. Start for Elementary School Parents,' as well as expanding nighttime and holiday pediatric care, the 'Sam-Sam-O Neighbor Care' program, 'Sharing Store for Expectant Mothers,' Gwangju-style G-Pass transportation support, and the operation of the 'Aikiwoom Platform,' all of which are policies that can be felt in daily life.
With this higher certification as an opportunity, the city plans to further realize its vision of a child-friendly city where 'all citizens respect and realize the rights of child citizens.'
Through cooperation with the Office of Education, the Police Agency, and others, the city will faithfully implement the 'Gwangju City UNICEF Child-Friendly City Four-Year (2026-2029) Action Plan,' thereby strengthening its role as a leading model for metropolitan child-friendly policies.
Mayor Kang Kijeong stated, "A child-friendly city is one where every child is respected without discrimination and can grow up safely. We will continue to listen to the diverse voices of children so that children's rights can be naturally realized in everyday life, and we will build 'Gwangju, a child-friendly city where tomorrow shines bright.'"
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