"There could be more hobbies and activities for young people in Riihimäki"

Two young people got to spend their school day being taught by the mayor of Riihimäki. The visit was one of the events of the city's Children's Rights Week.

For the fifth graders of the northern school Sofia Pesona ja Santeri in Hakala Thursday was a slightly different school day. They were, in honor of Child Rights Week, the mayor Jere Penttilän as pairs of horns. During the four-hour visit, the young people got to see what it's like to work in a city organization. During Penttilä's trip, Pesonen and Hakala toured various units of the administration and went to greet employees. Of course, the visit also included lunch and a stop at the meeting.

What were the young people's expectations of the day with the mayor?

"I was expecting that there would be gatherings and that you would be able to see what is being done here," answers Santeri Hakala.

The four-hour visit went smoothly. The young people say that they received a good reception in the town of Riihimäki.

"The day has been fun," says Sofia Pesonen with a smile.

"And it has seemed a bit busy here," emphasizes Hakala.

Neither young person plans to become mayor, but Pesonen's professional dream is to be a teacher and Hakala wants to work in art. Thus, Jere Penttilä can breathe a sigh of relief for his own position.

Riihimäki's mayor has also had an exciting and slightly different working day. Pesonen and Hakala are the first schoolchildren who have been able to observe not only the work of the mayor but also to get to know the city administration during the Child Rights Week.

"We will make this a tradition. It would be nice to have children visit here in the future and to follow the work of someone other than mine. Of course, I would be happy to take such lively young people here as my work partners again", says Penttilä with a smile.

Importance of Child Rights Week

Children's Rights Day is celebrated on Saturday 20.11. Pesos and Hakala have a clear picture of what the rights of the child mean.

"All children are equal," says Pesonen flatly.

"Children have rights and children must be taken into account," continues Hakala.

City manager Jere Penttilä nods approvingly at the young people's answers.

A child's rights also include the right to go to school in peace and safety. Pesonen and Hakala are satisfied with the atmosphere of their school. They say that attention has been paid to bullying at Pohjoise school. If it occurs, it is addressed.

"If I see an argument where there are, say, two against one, I intervene to defend the one in a weaker position," says Hakala.

"Usually if bullying happens, the teachers find out about it pretty quickly and the bullying can be stopped quickly," says Pesonen.

Young people hope for more hobby opportunities

Pesonen and Hakala immediately took the opportunity to express their wishes to Penttila and other city decision-makers.

"In my opinion, there could be more hobbies and activities for young people," says Hakala.

Jere Penttilä was immediately enthusiastic about the idea and wanted to know in more detail what kind of activities children and young people need in Riihimäki.

"Our school used to have a sports club for 1st-3rd graders after school. It would be nice to have that kind of activity back," says Pesonen.

Children should be encouraged

Children's rights are important to the city of Riihimäki and all municipalities in Finland.

"Children are the most important thing. In Riihimäki, the birth rate has decreased and the number of children and young people is not growing strongly, so the well-being of children and young people is even more important. The city supports families, and in early childhood education and basic education, care is taken to ensure that the resources are sufficient and the facilities are good and modern. It's good to organize various hobby activities both on behalf of the city and organizations," says Penttilä.

The goal of Child Rights Week is to promote awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially among children and young people. Adults play an important role in shaping a child's life.

"It is important that adults remember to behave well towards children and young people. Every encounter and every word remains in the children's minds, for better or for worse. A positive and encouraging approach should be remembered when dealing with children and young people," says Penttilä.

Taina Tervo