This refers to children and adolescents having a significant participation in different spaces and dialogue processes to freely discuss the issues that affect and interest them. For example, plans, programmes, and public policies.
For the participation to be considered active, this group must, in the very least, properly inform themselves of their role and what their participation will contribute. At the same time, their opinions must be heard, valued, and considered at all times.
Active participation means that they will be convened to different dialogue processes, that they have a staring role, and that they participate since the beginning and in the entire decision-making process. Often, this population is called to participate but is not granted visibility. Or, the perspectives of adults predominate in the consultation processes and contributions. As a result, the opinions of children and adolescents are sidelined. This means that their participation is reduced to validation processes and not to concrete proposals considered in the decision-making.
Because of this, the movements of children, adolescents, and teenagers have adopted the motto of Leaving No One Behind, expressed in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Also, ‘nothing about us without us’ to underscore the importance that their voices must always be present and that decisions that affect their lives should not be taken without hearing their opinions.
The main international law instruments establish that States must ensure that children’s and adolescent’s voices and opinions must be heard and considered. It is as important to guarantee participation spaces and mechanisms based on their ages and needs, and that consider their personal autonomy. The objective of these efforts is to ensure that they participate in a safe way that guarantees their rights.
Other terms include meaningful participation or effective participation of children and adolescents. Also, youth participation and child participation. However, these last two are not precise from a linguistic point of view. Also, although they refer to this population’s right to participate in the processes that affect them, they do not allude to the way in which it happens. This is the reason that other words are added—including active, effective, or meaningful— to emphasize the need that this participation take place on equal terms and that it ensures their voice and vote in decision-making.
For the participation to be considered active, this group must, in the very least, properly inform themselves of their role and what their participation will contribute. At the same time, their opinions must be heard, valued, and considered at all times.
Active participation means that they will be convened to different dialogue processes, that they have a staring role, and that they participate since the beginning and in the entire decision-making process. Often, this population is called to participate but is not granted visibility. Or, the perspectives of adults predominate in the consultation processes and contributions. As a result, the opinions of children and adolescents are sidelined. This means that their participation is reduced to validation processes and not to concrete proposals considered in the decision-making.
Because of this, the movements of children, adolescents, and teenagers have adopted the motto of Leaving No One Behind, expressed in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Also, ‘nothing about us without us’ to underscore the importance that their voices must always be present and that decisions that affect their lives should not be taken without hearing their opinions.
The main international law instruments establish that States must ensure that children’s and adolescent’s voices and opinions must be heard and considered. It is as important to guarantee participation spaces and mechanisms based on their ages and needs, and that consider their personal autonomy. The objective of these efforts is to ensure that they participate in a safe way that guarantees their rights.
Other terms include meaningful participation or effective participation of children and adolescents. Also, youth participation and child participation. However, these last two are not precise from a linguistic point of view. Also, although they refer to this population’s right to participate in the processes that affect them, they do not allude to the way in which it happens. This is the reason that other words are added—including active, effective, or meaningful— to emphasize the need that this participation take place on equal terms and that it ensures their voice and vote in decision-making.