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On December 13, the Child Welfare League Foundation announced the top ten issues that children and young adults are most concerned about in Taiwan. According to the survey, those under 18 and the first voters-to-be care about the food safety issue the most, followed by campus safety and campus democracy.

Yam news reports, the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWL) conducted a questionnaire focusing on issues that get the most attention among elementary, junior and senior high school students; the number of effective sample is 2,244.

The CWL says that food safety scandals, such as plasticizer and the gutter oil case, continue to emerge and has became the most worrisome problem among the children and young adults (52%). Some students say that they fear the school lunches might contain unhealthy and unsanitary food.

Apple Daily reports, random murderers and gangs on campus is the second most concerned issue (42.9%). The CWL says that many children are frightened and haunted by the elementary school throat-slashing incident that happened earlier this year.

In addition, “the inadequate participation of students in campus governance" ranked third (40.2%). The major opinion brought up is that schools have not provided students with a participation mechanism regarding campus governance, such as in the procedure of stipulating school rules and giving out punishment.

In terms of campus democracy, the students added that they have not been given adequate freedom. The schools are still implementing regulations regarding uniforms and appearances, and cannot express much of their own opinions in class.

China Times reports, Chen Li-ru, CEO of the Child Welfare League Foundation, says that currently most of the presidential candidates are in favor of the grown-ups’ opinions. She hopes the government can revise the minimum voting age to 18 years old so that the voices of young adults can be heard.

Translated by June
Edited by Olivia Yang

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