Democratic participation relies on individuals taking
collective ownership and deliberate roles in the societies where they live.
From the earliest age children have the interest in their neighbors and
communities to warrant actively engaging them in democracy; research, and
international practice codified in the CRC, demonstrates that their evolving
capacities necessitate opportunities for their active involvement. Children’s
participation embraces these realities by connecting young people with meaningful
opportunities to share their knowledge, ideas, actions, and more.
collective ownership and deliberate roles in the societies where they live.
From the earliest age children have the interest in their neighbors and
communities to warrant actively engaging them in democracy; research, and
international practice codified in the CRC, demonstrates that their evolving
capacities necessitate opportunities for their active involvement. Children’s
participation embraces these realities by connecting young people with meaningful
opportunities to share their knowledge, ideas, actions, and more.
For a long time children’s participation was seen as the
obligation of child-serving organizations only. Over the last decade we have
seen the expansion of this concept as children’s participation is increasingly
seen as essential in and by schools; local, regional and international
governments; community development organizations; and in other sectors.
Initially viewing children’s participation as effective marketing, businesses
also have realized the necessity of actively engaging young people. Today, they
continue to enrich their activities through technology. As recent developments
in the Middle East have shown us, many activists are also realizing the
potential of children’s participation, as indeed, many activists in that region
are children.
obligation of child-serving organizations only. Over the last decade we have
seen the expansion of this concept as children’s participation is increasingly
seen as essential in and by schools; local, regional and international
governments; community development organizations; and in other sectors.
Initially viewing children’s participation as effective marketing, businesses
also have realized the necessity of actively engaging young people. Today, they
continue to enrich their activities through technology. As recent developments
in the Middle East have shown us, many activists are also realizing the
potential of children’s participation, as indeed, many activists in that region
are children.
Children’s participation is democratic participation, and
serves to nurture all of the skills and knowledge young people need in order to
be successful members of democratic society. By increasing the frequency of
children’s participation, organizations and individuals can deepen the impact
children have throughout society. This will help alleviate many of the worst
conditions facing our world today, and help democracy transition to the new
forms it will be required to have in the near future as technology and
necessity continue to drive growth.
serves to nurture all of the skills and knowledge young people need in order to
be successful members of democratic society. By increasing the frequency of
children’s participation, organizations and individuals can deepen the impact
children have throughout society. This will help alleviate many of the worst
conditions facing our world today, and help democracy transition to the new
forms it will be required to have in the near future as technology and
necessity continue to drive growth.
The preceding was an introduction I wrote for a proposed international guide that didn’t happen. Thought you might appreciate it.
