Democracy from childhood: The Children's Council in Brovary nurtures future leaders.

The local authorities in Brovary pay significant attention to the development of children and youth. One example of this is the work of the Children and Youth Council of the Brovary Territorial Community, which operates at the Palace of Creativity for Children and Youth (PTDY). This organization has been a center for leadership among the community's students for over five years, as reported by UNN.

The Children’s Council unites leaders from all schools in the community, fostering their development and the implementation of numerous initiatives. Since 2018, students have carried out more than 70 creative, educational, and mass events covering a wide range of topics—from culture and leisure to volunteer activities.

According to the director of the Palace of Creativity for Children and Youth, Valentina Pavlyuchenko, the Children’s Council is not just another project but a powerful platform for youth development. "It is a hub for active youth who demonstrate leadership skills, propose projects, and actively implement them," she noted in an exclusive comment to UNN. Council members independently create a work plan for the year, allowing their interests and needs to be taken into account.

A distinctive feature of the Council's work is its close collaboration with local authorities. Specifically, during the spring break, an internship for Council leaders is held annually in the departments and offices of the city council. This allows youth to get acquainted with the internal workings of local self-government bodies, develop management skills, and prepare their own projects aimed at improving the operations of these structures.

The Children’s Council also maintains a connection with the Kyiv Regional Children’s Council, participating in its events. This provides participants with the opportunity to learn from peers in other communities and broaden the horizons of their activities.

Among the projects implemented by the Council are "Happy Childhood," aimed at protecting children's rights, and "(NOT) A Worrying Suitcase," which promotes a healthy lifestyle. The "Connection" project is also actively working to foster partnerships and connections with the public.

The activities of the Children’s Council are organized based on self-governance principles, allowing participants to acquire decision-making skills and take responsibility for their implementation. This not only contributes to their personal development but also creates a democratic atmosphere within the educational environment of the community.

The support from local authorities plays a key role in the Council's functioning. In particular, the Department of Education and Science facilitates the coordination of the Council's activities, while financial support enables the implementation of large-scale projects.

It is important to note that self-governance in the Brovary community has become a form of self-organization in children's life, where participants can express initiative, creativity, and innovation. This helps youth find their place in society and develop an active civic stance. According to the director of PTDY, student self-governance has become an important factor in personal self-education, helping to identify and unlock the inner potential of children. As a result, a new generation of leaders is emerging in society, ready to take responsibility for the future.

Each year, the Children’s Council updates its work plans, taking into account the current challenges and needs of the community. Therefore, the activities of the Children and Youth Council serve as a vivid example of how active youth can contribute to the development of society. With the support of local authorities and the coordinated work of the Council, the Brovary community is becoming a model for others in creating a democratic and innovative environment for children and youth.

Additionally

The Palace of Creativity for Children and Youth (PTDY) in Brovary is an important center for extracurricular education, where more than 1,800 children have the opportunity to develop their talents. Extracurricular education is free and occurs with the support of local authorities. As director Valentina Pavlyuchenko told UNN, a key area of the Palace's activities is artistic and aesthetic education, which includes choreography, vocals, visual arts, and decorative arts. In total, there are 42 different clubs operating at PTDY.

Recall

Earlier, UNN reported that the Brovary community is actively adapting the educational environment for children with sensory impairments, ensuring access to special textbooks, technologies, and inclusive programs.

Moreover, in 12 communal schools and kindergartens of the Brovary Territorial Community, resource rooms have been created for children with special educational needs. These rooms are used for psycho-emotional relief, correctional-developmental activities, as well as for individual and group sessions.

In total, there are 2,256 children with special educational needs registered at the Inclusive Resource Center (IRC) within the community, of which 1,426 are of preschool age, and 830 are school-aged. To ensure accessibility to education for these children, there are numerous inclusive initiatives and adaptations in the community.