Respect the rights of children and young people to express themselves and to participate in making the decisions that affect them.
As children grow, so does their capacity to make decisions. Children deserve to have their voices heard on issues that affect them. This is a basic right that all people share: the right to express views and to have those views taken seriously and respected. All too often, though, children are denied this right. All too often, no one listens to children.
The best advocates for children are children themselves. Those who are marginalised, vulnerable or living in poverty are better able to understand how this affects their daily lives, and should be able to fully participate in planning and implementing solutions. Children must have the opportunity to speak out for themselves.
The best advocates for children are children themselves. Those who are marginalised, vulnerable or living in poverty are better able to understand how this affects their daily lives, and should be able to fully participate in planning and implementing solutions. Children must have the opportunity to speak out for themselves.
Voices of Youth
Voices of Youth is an Internet site created by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for young people who want to know more, do more and say more about the world. It’s about linking children and adolescents in different countries to explore, speak out and take action on global issues that are important to them and to creating a world fit for children.Voices of Youth is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a whole, and in particular by Articles 12, 13 and 29. These three articles are dedicated to ensuring young people’s rights to participate in decision making processes, to express opinions freely, and to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to bri...
Celebrating 50 years of radio!
The Transistor Radio is 50 years-old - and helping more children than ever to have their voices heard!
The international children’s organisation, Plan, is celebrating 50 years of the transistor radio by celebrating its work with children’s radio projects.
Fifty years ago, on 18 October 1954, the first transistor radio became
available to consumers. It transformed the way radio was used, by
turning it from a bulky and expensive piece of furniture, into a cheap
personal accessory that can be run off battery power and listened to
almost anywhere.
The power of the radio is in its low cost and portability, its
suitability for remote areas which are not served by ele...
Children's parliaments around the world
Youth parliaments exist in many areas of the world as a way of making
sure young people have their say in shaping the future. If you’re a
young activist, or want to be a young activist, make sure you’re
involved!
Having your say in the World: 'Youth Building a Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable World'The Oxfam International Youth Parliament
(Oxfam IYP) is an initiative of Oxfam International. IYP mobilises a
global network of young leaders and activists to bring about positive
and sustainable change. It does this through supporting youth led
initiatives, facilitating skills and capacity building programs and
supporting young people to advocate for their rights and freedom...
Why is child participation so important?
This article is by Fabrizio Terenzio, from the
Youth Action Team of ENDA.
, based in Dakar, Senegal. The parts of the article in italics give some examples of ENDA's work with the African Movement of Working Children and Youth.
Since 1985,
Enda Tiers Monde
, and its partners of the 'Calao African Network' (Reseau Africain
Calao, RAC) have been building up a participative approach that
facilitates the development and improvement of children's lives in
Africa. The following points and thoughts have been recorded from this
experience.
Children's participation is unavoidable
In Africa, Children constitute a constant and active majority of the
populatio...
