The model - an overview

Neighborhood focus: The parliaments are not randomly elected or supra-regional, but are nevertheless voluntary. Children, young people and adults come together regularly in their neighborhood clusters. In this way, people who would otherwise be lost or who would not have access to participation are increasingly reached and integrated.

Subsidiary principle: Everyone holds a ministerial office, based on the SGDs. They discuss the problems and objectives in their immediate environment. The neighborhood groups solve problems themselves before interacting with local organizations and politicians.

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Sociocratic Inspiration: Children, youth and adults learn and use elements from sociocracy, a governance method that enables deeper inclusion, equality and creativity.

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Multi-level federation: These parliaments are structured similarly to our party system at the neighborhood, city, district, state, national, international and global levels.

The movement originated in India 20 years ago. The movement is now spreading to various parts of the world, empowering young people to make policy together and is recognized by the United Nations as the world's best child-led organization promoting children's rights.

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Resources on the vision and successes of children's and neighborhood parliaments:

• Original resources and background

• Documentary film "Power to the children"

  • Streaming

• Introduction to children's parliaments by Gnanaseker Danapal at the Sociocracy for all conference

• Short video from trainer Joseph Ratinam's last trip to Europe in Switzerland

• One of many success stories

• Another success story

• SONEC - Sociocratic Neighborhood Circles - Adaptation of the Indian model of neighborhood parliaments to the diverse European realities

• FAQs about the children's parliaments & thoughts from participants in a workshop in Dornbirn 2019