D-a The child's views Article 12 of the Family Code provides that "every child has the opportunity to be heard in all areas that affect him/her, either directly or through a representative." The Law 4-2010 on Child Protection confirms that provision, particularly in Articles 13, 30 and 31. In practice, the majority of children are not consulted by government institutions in decision-making and programme development. In the family, school, institutions and community, the right of children to express themselves is not always respected. Freedom of expression and information is guaranteed by the Constitution in Article 19, but most of the children in Congo do not know their rights. D-b Child participation Giving a voice to children is one of the foundations that have always supported the cooperation between Congo and UNICEF. In this context, the first forum of the children of Congo was held on September 25, 2003 in Brazzaville, after which was established the Children's Parliament under the leadership of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity, Humanitarian Action and Family, in collaboration with UNICEF, in order to allow children to express their views. This parliament, which included 36 children elected by their peers was renewed in 2008. It now has 303 junior members throughout the territory. To date, three sessions were held. Currently all departments are equipped with a departmental parliament with a 4-member office. The national office is headed by a board of five members (two boys and three girls) chaired by a girl. It should be noted that this institution has an annual budget of 20 million CFA francs provided by the government. Since its inception, the Children's Parliament was involved (as an organiser or participant) in the following activities: • Participation in all activities related to the celebration of the Day of the African Child and launches of reports on the situation of children in the world; • Participation in the 8th Parliament session in Mali in December 2003: • Organisation in Brazzaville of the first meeting of the Children's Parliament in September 2004, developing the annual report and review of the organisational arrangements of the children's parliaments at department level; • Establishment of departmental parliaments in all departments of Congo; • Organisation in Brazzaville of the second meeting of the Children's Parliament in September 2005. At this session, the problems of child abuse were put in the agenda and discussed and the office has been renewed; • Participation in the Global Action Week on Education for All in April 2004; • A conference debate at the United Nations Information Centre on the feedback of activities in Dolisie as part of the celebration of the 2006 edition of the Day of the African Child, under the theme "Right to Protection: Stop the abuse and violence against children" at continental level, and at national level: "No to violence in schools"; • Participation in the mid-term and youth forum organized by the ECA in Addis Ababa; 31