The Unicef child-friendly municipality model includes an initial survey before selecting development targets.

The initial survey assesses the municipality’s child-friendliness and the realization of children’s rights. One component of the survey involved electronic questionnaires and interviews with various groups of residents. Through the questionnaires, information was collected on, among other things.

• how well adults know and implement children’s rights
• how children and young people feel these rights are realized in terms of safety and inclusion
• what aspects are already good from the perspective of children and young people in Janakkala and what needs improvement.

Approximately 1800 responses were received for the surveys. There were six electronic questionnaires for different target groups. In addition, interviews were conducted with children and young people in the disability services sector, immigrants, and youth groups.

The results of the surveys compiled into PowerPoint presentations:
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Children and Young People
Disability Services
Youth Services
Integration Services
Parents (Family Center)
Residents
Elected Officials and Municipal Employees
Technical Services
Organizations

Summary of the initial survey and responses

Background

Janakkala is involved in the Unicef child-friendly municipality model and aims to achieve child-friendly municipality status.

Approximately 1800 responses were received for the surveys related to the current state assessment. There were six electronic questionnaires for different target groups: children and young people; representatives of organizations; parents; residents; employees and decision-makers in technical services; municipal employees and elected officials. Additionally, interviews were conducted with children and young people in early childhood education and disability services, immigrants, and youth groups.

The current state survey assesses the municipality’s child-friendliness and the realization of children’s rights. Through the questionnaires, information was collected on, among other things:
– how well adults know and implement children’s rights
– how children and young people feel these are realized in terms of safety and inclusion
– what aspects are already good from the perspective of children and young people in Janakkala and what needs improvement.

The purpose of the current state survey was to reveal areas for development. The goal is to make Janakkala an even better place for children and young people.

Familiar strengths emerged

Both children and young people, as well as adults in different roles, can easily identify familiar strengths for Janakkala. These include early childhood education, several schools, youth services, libraries, outdoor areas, sports and hobby opportunities, and good services. The basic framework is excellent.

Areas for development

However, there is still a desire for investment in schools (class sizes, student welfare, support measures, village schools), hobby opportunities, safe traffic, and youth facilities. In the responses from children and young people, there was also a sincere wish that bullying would finally stop.

A lively and safe environment is important

The significance of the public environment emerged from the responses of children and young people. They would like to enhance the functionality of their surroundings: comfortable places to be; activities and hobbies; shops and schools, as well as good public transport.

Children and young people would like to have more influence over environmental matters. Meanwhile, officials in the technical sector and elected officials are willing to consider the opinions of children and young people. They named the planning of school centers, playgrounds, outdoor sports areas, and food services as the most important areas where children and young people should be heard in the coming years. They identified closer collaboration with the youth council and student councils, as well as increasing the activity of youth representatives in decision-making bodies, as meaningful ways.

The responses highlighted the safety of a small community. Children and young people from lower and upper schools feel safer in Janakkala than high school students. The experience of safety seems to decrease with age. Of course, the living environment also expands, and solitary movement and contacts increase.

Close ones are the most important safety net for children and young people

Safety is enhanced across all age groups by close people: family members, friends, teachers, caregivers, etc. However, 34 children and young people reported that their lives lack a safe adult entirely. It was surprising that 13% of high school respondents reported this, whereas the corresponding percentages for younger age groups were 0-3%. Only 15% of high school students responded to the survey.

Experience of opportunities to influence is lowest in school

Children and young people felt they had the most influence over matters concerning them during their leisure time and at home. Children in the daycare included in the survey felt they were heard and seen. Students in disability services reported the worst experience of influence opportunities at school. No one felt they could significantly influence matters concerning themselves at school. Experiences of influence opportunities among upper school students were also the lowest in school. 38% of upper school students feel they cannot influence matters concerning themselves at school at all. 26% of upper school students feel they can influence a lot. In elementary education, the corresponding figures are 8% and 46%. In lower school, 6% and 36%. In high school, 10% and 51%.

Children and young people would like to express their opinions more frequently on issues related to education and leisure time. They are also interested in environmental issues. 33% of lower school students, 12% of upper school students, and 21% of high school students would like to express their opinions more often on environmental protection issues.

Family center supports parenthood

Based on the responses, areas for development for the family center include enabling peer support, developing the website, and raising awareness of the family center. Trust in respectful encounters, professional skills, and collaboration among professionals are important from the very first contact.

Knowledge and facilitation of children’s rights

Among the respondents to the survey aimed at municipal employees and elected officials, most believe that, among other things, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guides municipal operations and encourages children to participate in decision-making and supports their sense of community. There is room for improvement in resources, assessing child perspectives, treating children and adults equally, and considering the child’s best interests in adult services. There is uncertainty about the methods and practices used or that could be used to implement children’s participation.

A large number of young influencers live in Janakkala

One municipal employee or elected official wrote that young people’s ideas can be perceived as too heavy or surprising, but they should still be boldly considered and implemented. According to the survey responses, there are a total of 101 children and young people who expressed a desire to share their opinions more often on municipal matters. When we combine the willingness and courage of employees and elected officials to consider the views of children and young people with the desire of children and young people to express their opinions more often, Janakkala will inevitably become an even better place for children and young people.

Survey in spring 2023

1st-2nd graders (comparison 2021-2023)
Children and Young People (comparison 2021-2023)
Organizations (comparison 2021-2023)
Elected Officials and Municipal Employees
Early Childhood Education 2023