What Kids Want Congress to Know
Children care a lot about humanity's future. As those with the most at stake, they have a right to be heard. Yet a poll commissioned by UNICEF USA found that two-thirds of American children feel excluded from policy making and the political process. To change this, we asked kids what they would like Congress to know.
Children have a right to have their voices heard, particularly about issues that affect them. A Harris poll conducted online for UNICEF USA found that only one-third of children in the U.S. feel included in the American political process. The poll also found that girls felt especially excluded: 53 percent of girls said they do not feel included in the U.S. political process, compared to 43 percent of boys.
To address these concerns, UNICEF USA’s Policy and Advocacy Team partnered with UNICEF USA Kid Power to ask children around the country what they would like lawmakers to know. Of those responses, we’ve pulled insights from two third-grade classrooms in Illinois.
From education to climate change to armed conflict, children’s perspectives offer unique insight on the issues impacting them and children around the world. The contributions confirm that kids are paying attention to what is going on across the globe — and that they can be part of the solution.
“I think we never have war again. All it does is hurt people! Why do we even join wars?”
“Let homeless people and kids try something that they cannot afford. Like an art class or a game of soccer. Whatever it is, I know it will make their day a 1000% better. It will distract them from knowing hard times and make them know how it feels to be a part of something.”
“I would make sure that people would turn that trash into something like a bag, something to wear, or anything but not throw it away.”
“I would want to make a new law it would be that people don’t be at war at the age ten.”
“I think there should be a law about females can go to school, because in some countries females can’t go to school and get an education! I think that is horrible and should be changed.”
UNICEF won't stop until every child has a voice. Children are counting on the leadership of adults to elevate their voices in the policy-making process. Adult advocacy must reflect the empathy and needs of children to create sustainable, positive impacts for children at home and abroad. On March 24th, UNICEF USA advocates will do just that as they meet virtually with members of Congress to advocate on behalf of the world’s children. Advocates will garner support for the Keeping Girls in School Act (H.R. 4134/S.2276), a bill aimed at harnessing the power of the U.S. Government to address barriers disrupting girls' education through smart investments and coordination between government agencies.
Registration to attend the UNICEF USA Advocacy Day 2022 Closing Ceremony is now open. To register, click here.
Top photo: A child's drawing promoting peace hangs on the wall of an empty school in eastern Ukraine on February 10, 2022. © UNICEF/UN0597403/Filippov
UNICEF Kid Power, a program of UNICEF USA, is a free interactive video platform that helps children discover how their everyday activities — such as moving and learning — can make a difference in the world
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