In its effort to build a child-friendly city, Chongqing’s Yuzhong District has actively developed spaces for children and promoted a variety of experiential activities. These initiatives provide equal and open platforms for children’s interaction and participation, such as the “Children’s Heart, Shared City – Yuzhong’s Future” observation and suggestions program and the “Mother City, Children’s Heart – Small Matters in the Big District” public welfare activities. Throughout these efforts, children are encouraged to interact closely with their city, offering observations, ideas, and unique suggestions, making them a key part of the city’s development and governance. This process realizes a perfect synergy between “child-friendliness” and “urban vibrancy.” The story of Xie Xinrui, a student at Dejing Primary School, reflects how Yuzhong District’s child-friendly community-building has provided children with safe, engaging spaces and diverse opportunities to participate. Xie Xinrui transitioned from participating in the Child-Friendly Pavilion’s activities to becoming a registered volunteer, evolving from “playful experience” to active “social participation,” bringing the concept of “child participation” to life in the city.

On International Children’s Day, June 1st, our neighborhood and school gave us a special “gift” – the Child-Friendly Pavilion! This gift was no ordinary one; it was an entire building! From then on, I came to know the term “child-friendly.” Although I didn’t completely understand what it meant, I knew it was something very, very good for children like us!

The Child-Friendly Pavilion is designed with various sections – exhibition areas, reading spaces, drawing corners, and photo zones. It also hosts a wide range of activities that we love to participate in. One area, called “Mi Baobao Street Corner,” focuses on promoting food conservation and cherishing resources. Every weekend, older sisters in volunteer vests and pink hats provide information to visitors. I often thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could be a volunteer too?” I don’t know how long that idea stayed with me until, one Saturday after art class, I finally gathered the courage to ask one of the older volunteers if I could join. To my surprise, she answered with an enthusiastic “Of course you can!” I was ecstatic! With her help, I learned all the necessary information, practiced giving live presentations, and eventually became a volunteer at “Mi Baobao Street Corner.”

One winter weekend, I went to “work” at “Mi Baobao Street Corner” again. That day, I encountered a foreign visitor. The moment he walked in, I panicked: “How can I, a fourth grader with basic English skills, possibly introduce ‘Mi Baobao Street Corner’ to him?” I mentally reviewed all the English words I knew but quickly realized they weren’t enough. Just when I felt at a loss, a “savior” appeared – an older sister who was a friend of the visitor and who could translate for us. I breathed a sigh of relief. I explained the purpose of “Mi Baobao Street Corner” to her in Chinese, and she conveyed it in English to the foreign visitor. In this way, we “communicated” for half an hour, with my “colleague” taking many “work photos” of me during that time. In the end, through the translator, the visitor praised me for being confident, friendly, and dedicated to my “work.” His praise made me very happy and validated my efforts. That day, I welcomed 68 groups of visitors. Though I felt a bit tired, I was even more excited and proud because I represented the city, embodying the image of Yuzhong’s children and reflecting the spirit of the new generation. As the city gives us more child-friendly opportunities, we, in turn, are constantly growing and thriving.

Today, I am officially registered as a volunteer on the volunteer platform, having accumulated 37.52 hours of volunteer service. Whenever I think back to my experience at “Mi Baobao Street Corner,” a warm feeling rises within me. This experience, like a seed, took root in my heart and helped me understand the true meaning of giving. It taught me that no matter where we are or what our abilities may be, as long as we are willing to contribute, we can bring warmth and light to our city and to the world. When our city is child-friendly, we become better people; when we are child-friendly, our city becomes even better!