HUNGARY | Mobile Educational Point Dedicated to Children’s Rights Inaugurated by the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary

Dr. Ákos Kozma, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary, inaugurated a mobile educational point on 20 November, 2024, at ÁGOTA Village to celebrate World Children's Day. The initiative marks the anniversary of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, a cornerstone of international legal protection.

In his opening speech, Dr. Ákos Kozma emphasized that the Convention on the Rights of the Child remains a key standard and point of reference today. It has not only shaped legal systems, regulations, and practices but has also influenced how we view children, parents, rights, and the state's responsibilities. Children are individuals with their own rights, dignity, will, and identity, deserving of the respect, attention, and appreciation afforded to adults. Mere acknowledgment is insufficient; states must continually work to ensure these conditions are upheld.

Several distinguished guests attended the ceremony, including Dr. János Kothencz, General Director of the Szent Ágota Child Protection Service; Major General János Schmehl, Deputy Director General of the Hungarian Prison Service; Brigadier General Dr. Zsolt Gulyás, Police Commissioner of Bács-Kiskun County and senior executives from the precinct, Ferenc SULYOK, CEO of KEFAG Zrt., and executives from the Csongrád-Csanád County Police Headquarters.

The mobile educational point introduced at ÁGOTA Falva will travel to children’s homes across the country to support children's awareness of their rights. The program will include short films, followed by a quiz to assess the children’s knowledge. In addition, there will be fun activities like a wheel of fortune and a mystery bag game, where the children can select gifts.

During the ceremonial opening, the next phase of the children's home renovation program was announced: the commencement of the Ágota Falva landscaping works starting on November 21, 2024. These landscaping efforts are part of the ombudsman’s initiative, carried out with the collaboration of the Hungarian Prison Service and the State Secretary for Forest and Land Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Source: The Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary