As part of the drafting process of the new Constitution, the Child Services DG of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies is inviting 162 child representatives (and 81 accompanying teachers) to discuss and submit their inputs. UNICEF and the Turkish Parliament (through its Child Rights Monitoring Committee) are contributing to the organization and facilitation of this important event. The suggestions by children will be presented to Mr. Cemil Çiçek, Parliament Speaker on 2 February 2012.

The objective is to ensure child and youth participation in the drafting of the new Constitution through a formal consultation process and the subsequent submission of a report from children to the Parliament. After opening interventions, the methodology of the meeting will be to introduce children to the notion and importance of the Constitution, and then discuss and compile their suggestions in 8 to 10 working groups. A group of child and youth moderators will be briefed and supported by UNICEF to maximize the outcome and the impact of these workshop discussions.