Isfahan, Iran (IMNA) — Alireza Norouzi said the world’s child-friendly cities implement a wide range of programs aimed at creating better conditions for children’s everyday lives, emphasizing that such efforts go beyond developing dedicated infrastructure.
Alongside child- and youth-oriented facilities and infrastructure, cultural, artistic and recreational events are also an important component of child-friendly urban development, Norouzi said. Such events can expand opportunities for children and teenagers to participate in urban life, gain experience, learn new skills and engage with their communities.
He described the International Children and Youth Film Festival as a major specialized event with significant potential to strengthen Isfahan’s identity as a child-friendly city and introduce this approach more widely at both the national and international levels.
“From a child-friendly city perspective, the most important issue is the direct benefit children receive from such events,” Norouzi said, stressing that attention should be given to how effectively programs improve children’s urban experience and create meaningful opportunities for their participation.
Children and teenagers take part in different aspects of the festival, creating opportunities for learning and gaining practical experience, he added. At the same time, the event brings children’s needs, concerns and perspectives more prominently into the attention of citizens and urban decision-makers.
Norouzi, a member of Iran’s National Committee of Child-Friendly Cities, said Isfahan Municipality plans to expand and facilitate services for children and teenagers and develop specialized infrastructure to better respond to their needs.
He described spending on children and teenagers as a long-term investment in society, saying its benefits become more evident over time and can contribute to preventing or reducing certain social challenges.
Providing children and teenagers with opportunities to participate in cultural and urban events can also promote well-being and learning while strengthening their sense of urban identity and belonging, Norouzi said. He identified this as an important element in Isfahan’s efforts to further develop as a child-friendly city.
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