KSCC continues engaging young voices

KUCHING: The Kuching South Child Council (KSCC) will continue its efforts to engage young voices in shaping the city’s development.

In its inaugural report presented at the Full Council meeting chaired by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng on Friday, KSCC members comprising five independent committees raised key issues focusing on cultural diversity, climate action, and child development.

These topics reflect the concerns and aspirations of the younger generation, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and sustainable Kuching.

The report highlighted three main areas: cultural diversity, climate action, and child development.

KSCC stressed the importance of respecting cultural practices and fostering greater understanding among diverse communities.

“To address communication challenges due to language barriers, they recommended creating opportunities for children to learn different languages and cultural practices from an early age, promoting inclusivity and reducing misunderstandings,” it said.

On climate action, it proposed raising environmental awareness through social media and implementing eco-friendly initiatives in schools and public spaces.

KSCC suggested activities such as community cleanups and tree planting, with incentives to encourage participation, and emphasised the importance of starting environmental education at the preschool level.

Regarding child development, KSCC called for safer recreational spaces, improved educational resources, and better public transportation.

The KSCC members also recommended addressing bullying in schools through social media campaigns to raise awareness and by offering guidance to both bullies and victims, rather than resorting to expulsion. Enhancing city safety by making security personnel more approachable and increasing community volunteer involvement were also among their suggestions.

MBKS further reiterated their commitment to reviewing these proposals and will explore ways to incorporate the Child Council’s feedback into future city plans.

“The creation of the KSCC highlights MBKS’s dedication to fostering a child-friendly city that values the input of its youngest residents,” it added.

KSCC was established to engage children in city governance, empowering them to share their perspectives on issues that will shape Kuching’s future.

The five independent committee included Child-Friendly Cities Committee, Age-Friendly Cities Committee, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Committee, Smart City Committee, and City of Gastronomy Committee.