Dear children,
another school year is behind you. A year in which you have mastered new knowledge, acquired new skills and had opportunities to better explore the world around you. I believe that this year too you have made new friendships and strengthened old ones, built good relationships with your teachers and created memories that you will always remember with pleasure.
Ahead of you is a well-deserved break from school obligations and time for rest. Use it as best as you can. Rest. Socialize. Play. Read. Be curious and open to new life experiences.
Let the break from school not be a break from friends – stay in touch. Maintain online communication when you are far from each other. As much as possible, socialize in person, connect and create unforgettable memories that you will recount when you return to the school benches. Be there for one another.
Be safe…
in traffic – use a helmet while riding (bicycle, scooter, roller skates, etc.) and do not drive electric scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, cars and other motor vehicles before you meet the legal requirements! Do not hitchhike.
on beaches and swimming areas – swim at designated beaches and swimming areas under the supervision of lifeguards. Do not jump from places that are not designed for jumping or where jumping is prohibited. Do not enter the water while overheated. Take care of sun protection, drink enough fluids and follow expert recommendations.
in the online environment – keep in mind that everything you do online leaves a trace. Do not share personal data with anyone (your location, profile passwords, documents, etc.). Do not talk to people you do not know. Respect others and be polite. Be mindful of others' feelings and do not write anything that you would not want written to you. Take a time out from the screen – and find activities where you can socialize with other children. This way you will connect better.
If you are troubled by some problem, talk to a person you trust and ask for support. At any time, for any problem, you can also contact us.
Dear adults,
with the summer months come new challenges in the protection of children. It is our responsibility and obligation to ensure that they spend their free time in a safe environment.
Let us provide children with quality content for spending their free time. It is important not to leave children unsupervised. We call upon local communities to provide free and affordable sports, cultural, entertainment and other content for children, especially for children from families with lower economic status, children in the social care system and children with developmental difficulties. No child should be left without the opportunity to spend their summer holidays qualitatively.
Playrooms, playgrounds, summer camps, etc. must be absolutely safe for children! We call upon organizers and owners to take care of the persons they engage for childcare and work with children – check if they have been legally convicted of criminal offenses against children and whether criminal proceedings are being conducted against them!
Parks and public areas for children should be well-maintained. We appeal to local communities to take care of the safety and maintenance of public areas. Public areas should be adequately lit, and parks fenced.
Traffic connectivity and organized transport must not stop during the summer months. Children need safe daily transport and connectivity, especially in smaller and rural areas. We call on everyone for special caution in traffic; drive children in proven and safe car seats, fasten seat belts, slow down on highways and be patient in traffic. Never, not even for a second, leave children alone in cars and other means of transport.
Many children will work this summer. We appeal to employers to respect the age limit for child labor (work is prohibited for children under 15 and children over 15 who attend primary school) and take care of the prohibition of minors' work on certain jobs. Ensure supervision of minors in those jobs that require it. The working environment for children must be safe: children must have daily and weekly rest, must not work at night or overtime and should be paid for their work – with mandatory registration. Any form of work that is harmful to children should be reported to the labor inspectorate without delay.
Be responsible in the protection of children – empower them in their rights, inform them about available activities and talk about possible dangers in the real and digital world. Set clear rules and monitor what is happening among children.
Let us be their support.
Happy, safe and fulfilling holidays to all!
Tatjana Katkić Stanić
Children's Ombudsman