Poverty

The Kerkrade Children's Council consists of representation from all primary schools and in the municipality of Kerkrade. The delegation is elected per school. These council members then choose their mayor from one of the council members.
In the children's council, pupils from group 7 and 8 from all elementary school and from Kinderopvang Parkstad in the municipality of Kerkrade are allowed to have a say and contribute ideas about the municipality's policy. Especially on those topics that are directly related to the children. Ultimately, the children's council can also give advice. They themselves determine the topics to be discussed.
 

Rationale and approach

The children's council chose poverty itself as a topic. A difficult topic as it turned out during the children's council meetings. Because, what is poverty? How do you recognize poverty? Can poverty be solved? Questions the children's council worked on during four meetings. 

March 29, 2023

On March 29, the Children's Council started answering the open-ended question "What is poverty" (what is the definition) and "What do you notice when someone doesn't have a lot of money (recognition). 

May 10, 2023

During this meeting, the children's council members went deeper into the topic.
Attention was paid to the household budget. The distribution of income and expenses in the household. The assignment was: you manage the cash book and you can only spend the euro once, what do you spend it on?
They did a chip test. The conclusion with the chips tested was that the most expensive chips are not necessarily the tastiest chips. This established the relationship between price-quality and the influence of advertising.
Finally, a small knowledge quiz was held with questions about poverty in the Netherlands and Kerkrade.

June 28, 2023

This council meeting was a floor meeting. It worked toward

  • Recognition;
  • Solution;
  • Awareness.

Sept. 20, 2023

At this council meeting, the conclusions, recommendations and awareness were developed. The children's council worked in groups based on the previous two meetings. It zoomed in on the child's world of experience, specifically:

  • School
  • Home
  • Nearby

The methods of communication were also discussed; "How can the issue of Poverty be brought to the attention of the public and what are the most appropriate times to do this.
 

Conclusions

The Children's Council concluded that Poverty is a difficult topic. Poverty is hard to recognize. And if you already know it, then solving poverty is very difficult. Unfortunately, the Children's Council itself cannot solve poverty. But poverty does need attention and especially publicizing the help that is offered.
It is important that the topic of poverty be a regular topic so that it remains under the spotlight. Children should not be ashamed of it. The role of the school is essential here, but also make it discussable in the neighborhoods. This can be done by organizing various activities.
Make use of social media and other channels to bring attention to this topic. Refer to the various organizations that can provide assistance. 

Advice and recommendations

The Children's Council advises:

Health that there is adequate attention to the subject of poverty in schools

Recommendations

  • Pay more attention to poverty during classes
  • School breakfast or lunch
  • Organize action days e.g. during The Day or Week of Poverty 
  • Inform parents via newsletter with attention to Leergeld foundation or Geldwijzerwinkel

Bring the topic of poverty to the attention of neighborhoods and districts and organize activities

Recommendations

  • Organize activities e.g. during Poverty Day or Poverty Week in the neighborhood centers such as
    • Clothing drives, sports and game days, collection drives
    • A special consultation hour from the Money Advice Shop
  • District points and associations get tools for recognizing different types of poverty and have knowledge of where help (including Geldwijzerwinkel) can be offered.
  • Put rich people in conversation with poor people and share experiences
  •  Organize sponsor runs or e.g. collect deposits to organize fun activities
  •  Special discount offers in stores
  • (More) places to donate clothing 

     

Use social media and other channels to regularly highlight poverty

Recommendations

  • As a municipality, regularly (At least twice a year) bring the subject of poverty to the attention of the public. Regularly in the week before the May vacations and in the week of poverty (mid-October). In addition, at other times by, for example, promoting actions in the community around the holidays. This can be done through social media, but also consider local broadcasters.
  • Raise awareness of the money guide store and provide information about the various assistance agencies, also do so specifically targeting children and tailor the explanations to children as well. 

     

Communications

The advice will be presented to the Municipal Executive and the Municipal Council of Kerkrade. The advice will also be presented to the cluster consultation directors of the Kerkrade schools of Movare, the relevant department of domain Burger and department of communication of the municipality.

Implementation

The Children's Council would like to be notified in mid-2025 with the status of the project. 


This opinion was adopted by the Children's Council at its March 13, 2024 meeting.

Madée Buck
Children's Mayor