Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• To increase youth voice in decision-making processes in order to promote meaningful youth-adult partnerships and create a more inclusive democracy and community

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Option One: Ratify Article XII of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and implement one of the international models as exampled above.  Three models of meaningful approaches to involving children have emerged from the current policies of nations that have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, with particular respect to Article 12: 

  1. Consultative processes:  in which adults initiate processes to obtain information from children through which they can improve legislation, policies or services.

     • Children’s Parliament in Slovenia: In 1990, a Children’s Parliament was established. Each year, children are introduced to a chosen topic and provided with the opportunity to learn about it in depth. Over 100 young people aged between 13-15 years are elected through their schools to meet at the Slovenian Parliament to discuss this issue. When war broke out in Slovenia, in Croatia, and finally Bosnia, the young people used the Parliament to express their concerns over the future. Politicians attended and took their views into account. 

     • Children’s Parliament in Zimbabwe: When the Organization of African Unity (OAU) declared an annual ‘Day of the African Child’, the Zimbabwe President established an annual Children’s Parliament. The theme each year is chosen by the OAU. Their attendance as a delegate is based on competition through speech writing and public speaking to represent their constituency at the parliamentary session. The delegates are elected for one year terms. The Parliament lasts for one day with one day allocated for rehearsals. Child MP’s are allocated two minutes each to speak on the chosen theme. Adult ministers attend and respond to the child parliamentarians’ contributions after which the children return home.

  2. Participative Initiatives: where the aim is to strengthen processes of democracy, create opportunities for children to understand and apply democratic principles or involve children in the development of services and policies that impact on them

     • Participatory research on child labor in Vietnam: This research program was conducted in 1997 to obtain a better understanding of the extent and nature of child labor in Vietnam. The children participated with enthusiasm and their active involvement provided a new perspective on the lives of working children and demonstrated to adult community members that children have important experiences and opinions to contribute that differ from those of adults.

     • Highfield School, UK: Highfield is a  junior school (7-11 years) in a particularly deprived area of England. It had been characterized by high levels of violence, disaffection, bullying, and truancy. In the early 1990’s, a new Head Teacher decided to involve the whole school community including children, teachers, and administrative staff on what changes needed to be made to make the school a safer place. A school council with genuine power over issues such as school policies and recruitment of staff was established. As a result, the school became popular, achieved better educational results, and allowed for democratic decision making by the youth.

  3. Self Advocacy: where the aim is to empower children to identify and fulfill their own goals and initiatives

     • Article 12, UK: In 1995, young people on the Management Council of the Children’s Rights Development Unit (CRDU) organized a conference of 60 children and young people to organize a national organization ran by young people to promote their right to be heard. A steering committee of 25 youth members was established who raised money for paid support staff. All decisions and activities are led by the children themselves. The organization, called Article 12, is now more than 400 members strong. It campaigns for greater democracy in schools, lowering the voting age, and ending physical punishment of children. Its members speak at conferences, talk to the media, run seminars, and meet with politicians.

     • Children’s Clubs, Nepal: Children’s clubs, managed to a large extent by children themselves, meet once or twice a month and take part in activities such as dancing and singing, theatre, community development work, reading and writing, debates, and children’s rights awareness. They have an organizational structure similar to those of adult organizations. Ages of youth range from 8-18. There are now hundreds of such clubs within Nepal.

• Option Two: Do not ratify Article XII of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Option Three: Do not ratify Article XII of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Rather, implement policies at the state, local, and campus levels to still promote youth voice and inclusive democracy. See the Youth Voice overview page for those policy options.  

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Youth Voice at the National Level - USA 

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

Bibliography