The Children's Parliament of the World Iraqi representative in The Children's Parliament.     The Children's Parliaments of the World (CPW) is founded on Article 13 of the Children’s rights convention – “the child shall have the right to freedom of expression.” The children are the leaders of tomorrow, and most of them have very clear views about important matters around the world. It is important that the one third of the world's population, which is the children, should have the right to have an impact on important matters, especially when they directly concern them.   The Children's Parliament was founded in 1997, to give all children the opportunity to be heard. There are 2.1 billion children on earth and they are all represented by the Children's Parliament.   The Children's Parliament is an organisation run by children, to help children around the globe on their own terms. Adults have no right to attend the meetings and the children themselves decide what issues the will discuss. It’s completely non-political and non-religious, and welcomes children from all countries, from all faiths, and from all cultures. The Children's Parliament has representatives from all over the world, and through these members the parliament follows what is happening around the globe, and reacts when they find certain matters necessary to deal with.   The general assembly of the Children’s Parliament of the World is held once a year. The first general assembly was held in Helsinki, Finland, with 38 children from all over the world attending. Every year on this annual meeting the parliamentarians lay down a global law concerning the rights of its members, i.e. the children. This law, as well as a resolution, is sent out to adult decision makers around the world.   The representatives from Iraq come from the city of Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan, and some of them go to the KSC Secondary school, Sheid Jabbar.  The Children's Parliament of Iraq has participated in two general assemblies, the first one in Finland and the second one in Tunisia 2005.   The aims of the Children's Parliament: 1.      to draw attention to the voice of children in the society. 2.      to give children the opportunity to express their opinions. 3.      to enable children to participate and be involved in decision-making on issues which are  of interest for them, and which concern their future. 4.      to be able to say NO to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and to all forms of intolerance. 5.      to work for street children and working children around the globe. 6.      to help the children have a childhood without violence and abuse. 7.      to help underdeveloped countries by exchanging programs on children helping children. 8.      to provide all children with a healthy and safe environment.