Building a child friendly city

Bendigo is the first city in Australia to be recognised as a Child Friendly City by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 2009.

Our Vision:

• Children are equal citizens with the same rights as adults
• Children are asked their ideas and opinions
• Children's ideas and opinions are seriously considered by adults
• Children feel safe in their community
• Adults care for the environment for children now and in the future.

Living in a child friendly city is a commitment by the whole community to embrace the vision of children and strive to achieve a sustainable urban future for the city.

Bendigo's Child Friendly City initiative originally emerged through funding received from the Commonwealth Government's "Stronger Families, Stronger Communities" strategy. This Communities for Children initiative locally known in Bendigo as Joining Together for Bendigo Children, provided increased momentum for us to partner with the community to formalise our commitment to children as citizens. Communities for Children phase two funding was received in 2010 to provide further support until 2012.

Activities

Community Awareness Raising
The City of Greater Bendigo assumes a leadership role in raising general awareness of the importance of Building a Child Friendly City not only to its own residence but both nationally and internationally.

Child Friendly City Leadership Group
This group was established in 2010, comprising of senior representatives from organisations across Greater Bendigo. Its work is guided by the Child Friendly City Leadership Group Strategic Plan.

Consultation with Children
City of Greater Bendigo is committed to ongoing and meaningful consultation with children to support its planning processes. Its most significant piece of work to date is Building a Child Friendly City Children's Consultation Report, 2008 - 500 children aged between 3 and 8 years were interviewed to understand what it is like for children growing up in Bendigo.  

Childrens web page
An interactive games based web site including a  virtual tour of our city with Goldie the Wonder Dog.  The website is an important information resource for children (birth to 8 years) and their families including up and coming events and a register of child friendly services and business participating in the Child Friendly Sticker Program.  www.childfriendlycity.com.au

Research Partnerships
The City of Greater Bendigo actively pursues partners who are committed to exploring innovative ways of creating  cities that recognise children as equal citizens in their own right. 

For more information call our Children and Family Services Unit on 5434 6364 or email us