The Children’s Parliament is meant to provide sustainable and meaningful opportunities for children to engage in local, national and international democratic processes. It has enabled children from all backgrounds and of all abilities to work together to share and compare notes and experiences that make active citizenship a reality library.

The First Session of Namibia’s Children’s Parliament (2007) set out as its primary objectives the following:

  • Deepening the understanding of parliamentary democracy;
  • Engaging young people in governance issues;
  • Creating linkages with others on the continent;
  • Creating a platform values, and
  • Championing the spread of rights of the underprivileged.

The young MPs also discuss topics including HIV-AIDS and how children in Namibia are affected by the pandemic, school dropouts, how to improve Grade 10 pass rates, lack of discipline in schools and street children.

Over the years, the Children’s Parliament has proven its effectiveness in realizing the rights of children through its previous sessions. The 3rd Session of the Children’s Parliament lobbied government for the adoption and implementation of the Learner Pregnancy Policy by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. Since the adoption of the policy, more teenage mothers can continue their education after birth of their child.

The 4th Session of the Children’s Parliament through motions successfully lobbied government to increase the grants for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC’s) furthermore they championed the Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015. The Act is viewed as a powerful piece of legislation that encompasses Child Rights, Welfare and Empowerment for Namibia. In 2022 the Minister of Finance announced in his budget speech that the grant for all persons with disability would increase from N$ 250.00 to N$ 1 300.00 per month. This followed a similar motion passed by the 5th Session of the Children’s Parliament.

The Children’s Parliament has even attracted international recognition and was invited to the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union to participate in the global panel discussion on the parliamentary budgeting powers of children. This was the 3rd time the Children’s Parliament formed part of the Namibian delegation to the IPU with previous attendances in 2014 and 2016 respectively.