Gmünd on the way to becoming a child-friendly community: Certification started!

Gmünd on the way to becoming a child-friendly community: Certification started!

On September 17, 2024, the recertification process for obtaining the UNICEF additional certificate for “Child-Friendly Community” began in the meeting room of the Gmünd municipal council. Representatives of local educational institutions and municipal administration took part in this kick-off event to discuss the current challenges and opportunities of family-friendliness. Loud Click Carinthia The municipality intends to further expand the initiatives and concepts it has already implemented.

In order to receive the UNICEF additional certificate, communities that have already aimed for the state quality label “family-friendly community” must implement additional child rights measures. This certificate, offered by UNICEF, the world's leading children's rights organization, aims to integrate children's concerns into community policy and increase the visibility of child-friendly approaches such as Family and career explained.

Commitment and collaboration

Numerous key players were present at the opening event, including director Gerald Fellner from the elementary school and director Michael Persterer from the middle school as well as representatives from kindergartens and parents' initiatives. The deputy mayors Claus Faller and Philipp Schober thanked those present for their commitment and emphasized the importance of cooperation between all those involved. The positive mood and willingness to actively participate in the process were also emphasized.

The recertification process is intended to focus on the needs and rights of children in public spaces and to position the municipality of Gmünd as a model municipality when it comes to family friendliness. Further workshops are planned in the coming weeks to give space to new ideas and proposed solutions. The next workshop will take place on March 30, 2025 at 11 a.m.

Goals of the initiative

The UNICEF additional certificate supports the goal of creating child-friendly communities by installing sensitive and effective measures at the local level that place the well-being of children at the center of community policy. The initiative is part of UNICEF's global Child Friendly Cities program, which aims to strengthen and promote the rights of children everywhere. Numerous municipalities in Austria have already received this award, but Gmünd strives to further distinguish itself in this area and to continuously improve, as in UNICEF documented.

Yesterday's start to the re-certification not only represents an important step for the community of Gmünd, but also for the long-term promotion of children's rights, which should benefit all children.