In Gargnano, by the end of November, the Municipal Council for Boys and Girls (C.C.R.R.) will be established, an initiative strongly supported by the Municipal Administration and the Comprehensive Institute of Gargnano. This project will actively involve students from the fourth and fifth grades of primary school and the three classes of lower secondary school, representing a true “gym for democracy” where young people can learn the value of active citizenship, participation, and civic responsibility.
**Objectives and Core Values of the C.C.R.R.**
The C.C.R.R. aims to provide young people with a space for discussion and dialogue, allowing them to address issues concerning their school and community in an independent and constructive manner. The goal is to encourage students to become aware citizens, capable of expressing constructive opinions and proposing initiatives for the improvement of their community.
The principles of equality, solidarity, freedom, and the rejection of all forms of discrimination are central to the activities of the C.C.R.R., which draws inspiration from the guidelines of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Law No. 179/91) and Law No. 285/97, both aimed at promoting the rights of children and adolescents.
**Organizational Structure and Support Figures**
The Municipal Council for Boys and Girls will consist of roles similar to those of the adult Municipal Council: Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councilors, and Advisors. Each class will have a representative elected democratically by their peers, who will then become a member of the Council Assembly. The thematic areas of competence for the C.C.R.R. include:
• **Environment and Ecology**
• **Culture, Education, Equal Opportunities, and Solidarity**
• **Sports, Leisure, Health Education, and Safety**
• **External Relations** (such as cultural exchanges and twinning)
Each area will be assigned to an Advisory role, tasked with collecting and analyzing the proposals from the students, which will then be presented to the adult municipal bodies for potential approval.
To ensure the effective functioning of the C.C.R.R., there will be adult support figures, including Ms. Linda Filippini for primary school, Professor Leila Bonacossa for lower secondary school, and Milena Scarpari, a tutor appointed by the Municipality. Dr. Fabiana Bonomini, the Councilor for Public Education, will serve as the institutional reference figure.
**Election Process and Functioning of the C.C.R.R.**
Class representative elections will take place by November 15, 2024. Students will elect one Councilor per class, and in the event of a tie, the younger candidate will be selected. The elected representatives will then proceed to appoint the Mayor and the Council during subsequent meetings. The elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be reserved for students in the first and second classes of lower secondary school to ensure a two-year continuity of the mandate.
The C.C.R.R. will carry out its activities through bimonthly meetings during school hours at designated municipal locations. The students’ movements will be supervised by an educator appointed by the Municipality, who will ensure transportation between the school and the town hall. The meetings of the Council will take place within the schools and will be open to parental participation to encourage family involvement.
**Duties of the Mayor and the Council**
The Mayor of the C.C.R.R. serves as a point of reference for the Councilors, presiding over meetings and maintaining relationships with local authorities. The Council, composed of the Mayor and four Advisors, is responsible for developing proposals to be submitted to the Council and coordinating the implementation of approved decisions.
**Educational Objectives and Work Themes**
The Municipal Council for Boys and Girls is an opportunity for young people to experience active citizenship, understanding the value of rules and the common good. Among the main educational objectives are:
• Promoting awareness of their rights and duties.
• Educating on democratic participation and civil coexistence.
• Encouraging respect for the environment and ecological sensitivity.
• Fostering social inclusion and equal opportunities.
Each Councilor will be encouraged to bring ideas and suggestions from their peers to the Council, creating a constant dialogue between the school and the municipal administration. The students will also have the opportunity to present original projects, which will be assessed by the Municipal Administration for their economic and operational feasibility.
**Conclusion and Start of C.C.R.R. Activities**
The official inauguration ceremony will take place by December 2024 in the presence of the Mayor of Gargnano and the adult Municipal Council. The first activities of the Municipal Council for Boys and Girls will commence in January 2025, marking the beginning of a formative journey that will guide young people towards greater civic awareness and active participation in the life of the community.
Italian Version
