In this context, children from the World Vision Romania Advisory Council sent a letter to the President of Romania, requesting, among other things: the creation of a National Children’s Council attached to the Presidency, genuine participation in decision-making, and equal opportunities in education.
Happiness Among Rural Children: What a Good Life Means to Them
The World Vision Romania report reveals that children’s perception of a “good life” is closely linked to basic needs as well as desires for personal space, education, and protection.
- 14% of rural children (approximately 141,000) believe that a good life means having more and better food.
- 20% say life is good when they learn things they enjoy.
- 24% want to have a space of their own—a personal place where they feel safe.
- For 8% (about 80,000 children), a good life means not being scolded or hit by anyone.
- The main characteristics of a good life, as seen by children, include health, pocket money, the freedom to do what they like, and the presence of friends. A quarter of children (25%) want a bigger, more modern home.There are gender and age-based differences in how these values are perceived:
- Girls value health more (41% compared to 35% of boys).
- Boys place more importance on not being scolded or hit, on friends, and on pocket money.
- Health is more important for children aged 10–12, pocket money becomes more important after age 13, and personal space gains significance after age 14.
Support and Living Conditions
- 19% of children say they never receive help with their homework.
- 8% (approximately 86,000) feel their parents treat them worse than other family members.
- 15% (about 154,000) are always tired due to working before or after school.
- 6% say they never enjoy going to school, and another 6% (around 60,000) go to bed hungry due to a lack of food.
Additionally, 22% of rural children report not having any free time. Their favorite leisure activities include watching TV, meeting with friends, and browsing the internet (38%).
On International Children’s Day, the children of the World Vision Romania Advisory Council sent a letter to the President, calling for concrete actions to support children in rural areas—and for the future Government’s involvement in driving these changes.
Among the children’s key demands are:
- The creation of a National Children’s Council attached to the President of Romania, as an official platform where children’s voices are heard and contribute to decisions related to education, health, protection, and the environment.
- Genuine participation in decisions that affect them, by implementing the law on participation and creating real spaces for consultation.
- Equal opportunities in education, including preventing school dropout between educational stages, eradicating functional illiteracy, and ensuring basic learning conditions: food, warmth, emotional support.
- Education that fosters critical thinking and protects children in the digital world.