The 2015 edition of ‘Takeover Day – Now I decide’ took place between 16 to 20 November in Bucharest and 32 other counties of Romania. Over 3,500 young people took over their dream job and had the opportunity to interact with adults. This week, youth decided!
The organizer, Terre des hommes foundation, was supported by county coordinators acting on behalf of School Inspectorates together with the Children’s Palace and local partners. Over 600 vulnerable young people from 23 counties, received grants in order to participate in the event. This support was made possible through the contribution of the Swiss Foundation D ‘Harcourt.
From 16 to 18 November an exhibition at the Art Gallery of the National Association for the Visual Contemporary Arts presented a selection of messages from youth.
Every day of the week, young people from Bucharest, Curtea de Arges, Constanta and Fetesti took over the position of the Adjunct Ombudsman, with responsibilities related to Children’s Rights. As a result, these youth are invited to set up a Youth Advisory Committee that can become actively involved and provide consultations to the Institution.
Many other state and private institutions, foundations and companies opened their doors and assigned mentors to hand over their jobs to youth, such as the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research, F.O.N.P.C, the Chamber of Deputies represented by Deputy Mrs. Andreea Paul, the Swiss Embassy, the Dutch Embassy, the British Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, the Algerian Embassy, the French Institute, the Delegation of Wallonia- Bruxelles, the Municipal Council District 1, the General Direction of Child Protection District 6, Otopeni Airport, Cinema City, DoubleTree by Hilton Bucharest Unirii Square Hotel, Freealize, Mica Elvetie, Zazu Film, Class IT, SWISSCAPS -AENOVA Group, ERKA Agency, the Conservatory, Romanian Television, PACT Foundation and many others.
The team of Terre des hommes foundation also handed over positions to young people from Craiova, Roman and Bucharest and involved them directly in organizing the ceremony on the 20th of November. This final event was held at the Parliament, and was entitled “A world run by youth”.
During this event youth representing several positions shared with the audience their view on the society and the role of youth therein. They pled for adults to give more support to young people in difficult situations such as children living without parents or children with special needs. They also shared that they really appreciated the Takeover Day event as it made them feel listened to.
Terre des hommes foundation encourages every adult to focus more on including children and young people in decision making and to include their opinions even beyond this week. Let’s be inspired and create a safe and a friendly space for young people, a space where their right to participate is respected and their voices are heard! A world lead by youth !