The 68 children elected as municipal councilors gathered for a plenary session this Wednesday. During this special council, the children were able to present projects they had conceived themselves.
A large number of proud parents sat behind their children, many of whom seemed impressed. And for good reason: for the first time, the young elected officials were sitting in the Nice municipal council chamber, the same place where a few days earlier, Christian Estrosi handed over the mayoral duties to Philippe Pradal.
Neither of them was present this Wednesday. So it was Lauriano Azinheirinha, vice-president of the departmental council and deputy for education to the mayor of Nice, who was responsible for presiding over the session, as per the rules. “You will work as a team, demonstrate solidarity,” he told the children.
Despite microphone issues that took time to resolve, the children launched in and eagerly proposed and discussed ideas. On the agenda, four thematic committees proposed a project to the audience, which was then put to a vote. These four themes are: “My Environment, My City,” “Activities and Recreation,” “School Life,” and “Living Together.”
For nearly two and a half hours, the children interacted, some asked questions, and others answered them, in a relaxed atmosphere. Faced with a very pedagogical and attentive Lauriano Azinheirinha, they notably expressed themselves on eco-citizenship and the greenhouse effect.
The attentive young elected officials offered a session rich in proposals, all in good spirits and respect. The deputy mayor of Nice declared himself to be “very proud to see these young people showing creativity by proposing very sensible actions.”
Marie, a mother, doesn’t take her eyes off her child. She is proud to see her son sitting in the chamber: “It’s quite impressive. This municipal council allows them to see how things are done by the ‘grown-ups’, so it’s a good initiative by the city hall.”
