The best place for children and young people

Making Kuopio the best place for children and young people using the Child-Friendly Municipality model

One of the goals of the City of Kuopio’s strategy 2030 is to make the city healthy, social and safe for all; to be the best place to grow, spend your free time and learn; a place where every child and young person has the opportunity to live a good life, which is the fundamental right of every child and young person. The fundamental rights of children and young people (all under 18 years of age) are made a reality through everyday engagements and encounters. Important actors include the children and young people themselves, their families, stakeholders who work with children and young people, and the personnel and decision-makers of the different city services.

To achieve our goal, we will develop our activities for the benefit of children and young people, leveraging the National Child Strategy and UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Municipality initiative (in Finnish). The initiative is based on UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (in Finnish) and the international Child-Friendly Cities model by UNICEF. The model helps municipal administration and children’s everyday services make informed decisions regarding children’s well-being. In particular, it helps municipalities in ensuring that the rights of vulnerable children are realised.

The best place for children and young people is the best place for everyone. In the words of Deputy Mayor Pekka Vähäkangas: “Where it’s possible to push a buggy, it’s also possible to use a walker.” The work involves extensive cooperation where every actor is needed. Children, young people and adults, let’s make Kuopio the best place for children and young people.

The quality of life and future of our children are in our hands and

our future and quality of life are in the hands of our children.