Democracy is something to be cherished, something to be cared for, said the Marshal of the Sejm, Elżbieta Witek, addressing the participants of the 29th session of the Sejm for Children and Youth.
Proceedings of the 29th Session of the Sejm for Children and Youth
The Marshal of the Sejm, Elżbieta Witek, who opened the 29th session of the Sejm for children and youth, underscored that the discussions would take place in the plenary hall, a space she described as the “heart of democracy.”
In this venue, each young parliamentarian can speak freely, reflecting the essence of Polish democracy. Democracy is something to be cherished, something to be cared for
she noted.
Speaking on the session’s central theme — “to die, but with honor (Krystyna Budnicka). The heroic armed resistance of Jewish combat groups against the Germans from the perspective of 80 years — for human, social, and national honor and dignity, inspired by the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising” — she emphasized that addressing this issue requires sensitivity and care for a matter rooted in decades past.
Without peace there is no future
The marshal pointed out that the topic is both challenging and timely.
Beyond our eastern border, Russia invaded Ukraine. These misfortunes occur close to home, she noted.
“I know that topics may captivate today’s youth more, but remember one thing: without peace, there is no future where you can pursue your dreams.”
– she added.
Witek also highlighted the spirit of debate, reminding participants that exchanging viewpoints means listening to different arguments and honoring each person’s right to hold an opinion.
We don’t have to agree with them, but we do have to respect them
she added.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion
She addressed the Children and Youth Parliament members, urging them to remember during discussions that everyone is entitled to an opinion and that respect should guide every exchange.
You can criticize a person’s behavior, but not the person
she pointed out.
We are different, and that’s the way it should be. That is the essence of democracy and the engine of progress, where disagreement is a normal part of dialogue
said the chair of the Sejm.
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What is the Children and Youth Parliament?
The Children’s and Youth Parliament counts 460 deputies. The chamber’s organization mirrors the procedures of the real Sejm to acquaint participants with the fundamentals of Polish parliamentarism. Plenary sessions and committee work proceed in line with the Electoral Law and the Sejm Rules established for Children and Youth proceedings.
SDiM sessions begin with a committee meeting where authors of top-rated papers prepare a draft resolution. It is discussed and voted on during the SDiM plenary in the Seym Assembly Room, culminating in the handover of the SDiM resolution to a member of the Sejm Presidium.
The SDiM resolution serves as a call from young people to adults — politicians, municipalities, schools, and organizations — to act on the session’s topic. Organizers emphasize that neither the SDiM meeting nor the resolution itself is normative or political in nature.
Participants are student teams of two, formed from pupils of a single school or a cluster of schools. They must be at least 13 years old on February 28, 2023, and under 18 on June 1, 2023, the day of the Children and Youth Parliament meeting. Supervision by a teacher is optional, but parental consent is required. Each team may join the SDiM session only once.
Candidates for deputies were selected through a recruitment-task competition.