The City of Huesca has officially established its new Council for Children for the 2026-2027 academic year. The council was inaugurated on 15 October in the city hall's plenary chamber, with participation from representatives of the local council and the Huesca campus of the University of Zaragoza (Unizar), both of which are key promoters of this initiative.
This session marks the beginning of a new period of child participation and engagement, allowing young members to voice their proposals for improving the city. The event was attended by Huesca's mayor, Lorena Orduna, the director of the Huesca campus, Sara Malo, and several local councillors, along with educators and technical staff involved in the project.
During the session, updates were provided on previous proposals made by the council, including the installation of an adapted swing in the children's area of Vicente Campo in Miguel Servet Park, scheduled for November. This initiative, which responds to a demand from the children, will involve an investment of €1,988.03, including VAT, funded through participatory budgets.
The municipal department of Childhood and Youth is also working on the implementation of communication panels, another request from the council. A significant part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting two key initiatives for the new term: the creation of a children's tourist route in Huesca and the development of proposals to engage younger audiences with the Huesca International Film Festival.
Children's tourist route initiative
The first initiative, titled “Huesca seen by children,” aims to design a tourist route for children that highlights the city's historical, cultural, and emotional heritage from their perspective. This project builds on previous work related to local heritage, particularly the Autonomous Meeting and the “Heritage on Route” initiative led by the Government of Aragon. Council members will have the opportunity to select interesting sites, design the route, and prepare child-friendly explanations. Potential outputs include an illustrated map, a downloadable brochure, an activity booklet, or a future audio guide.
Engaging youth with the film festival
The second initiative focuses on gathering proposals to make the Huesca International Film Festival more accessible to children and adolescents, aiming to enhance their participation and interest in this cultural event. Council members will assess their knowledge of the festival, their cultural habits, and what activities might appeal to younger audiences. Possible initiatives include creating a children's or youth section, involving young people in juries, organising audiovisual workshops, hosting meetings with film professionals, or conducting activities in schools. This work may involve surveys among students and discussions within the council to produce a set of recommendations for the festival's organisation.
During the plenary session, diplomas and materials were presented to the new council members, officially welcoming them to the council. Following this, the mayor engaged in discussions with the children to understand their expectations and concerns for the upcoming year. Veteran council members shared their experiences and the significance of their participation in this child engagement body, reflecting on past activities and offering insights to the newcomers. The session also included a dialogue space for children to interact with local council representatives and university staff, allowing them to exchange questions and thoughts about the city, priorities, and the role of children in decision-making processes affecting Huesca.
