Is Skopje a child-friendly city?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child promotes the participation of children in decision making processes that affect their lives. The 'child friendly cities' (hereinafter: CFC) movement originated in Italy, and is committed to implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The 'child friendly cities movement' has promoted practical methods for improving the built environment to recognize and reflect the needs of children and young people. (UNICEF International Secretariat 2007) Macedonia lags behind both in terms of legislature and realities on the ground. It needs to learn from good practices from around the world and improve the friendliness of its cities in particular the capital Skopje. The two institutions that deal with the rights of children, the Ministry for Labor and Social Policy (Department for Child Protection) and the National Ombudsman (Department for the Protection of the Rights of Children) are insufficient and not well equipped to deal with the issue. Moreover, except the informal consultations of the Department for the Protection of the Rights of Children with a ten member children's committee, there is not a single institution within the public administration that includes the children's participation principle in the decision-making process. There are not enough children facilities in the neighborhoods of Skopje, neither there are adequate facilities provided in shopping malls, supermarkets, and restaurants and bars. Based on our own research and overview of international best practices the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) recommends that a new Ombudsman for Children is founded to take the leading position in the protecting the rights of children with a full set of competencies. The current Law for the Catering Industry has to be amended so that restaurant owners are obliged to provide child-friendly services. Each municipality has to promote its own practical child-friendly strategy and action plan according to their capabilities while working closely with parents, children and young people. The current Law for Urban Planning has to be amended to define the constructing of children's playgrounds in residential complexes as mandatory. These measures will make the lives of children and parents easier. More children will be born. People will be happier.