Child participation is key right and a core principle of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It states that children and young people have the right to express their opinions freely. People have a duty to listen to children's views and to help them take part in any activity that matters them. This includes activities in their family, school, and local community, as well as public services, institutions, government policies, and judicial procedures.
At World Vision, we prioritise the meaningful, safe, and appropriate participation of children and young people. This is essential for sustained child well-being and for creating democratic societies with informed and engaged citizens.
We believe children and young people can make a big difference. They can take part in decision-making processes as their abilities improve and they become more independent. Children and young people learn to communicate opinions, take responsibility and make decisions. This helps them to develop a sense of belonging, justice, responsibility and solidarity.
Our work focuses on child and young people’s participation, which is in line with World Vision’s International Board's endorsement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Organizations are publicly supporting the rights of children and young people. They should be heard and their opinions should be taken into account on matters that affect them. They are entitled to freedom of expression, thought, association and access to information. This should be done while respecting the roles and responsibilities of parents and other people in authority.
We are looking forward to the new frontiers of child and young people’s participation. Our organization has grown in its understanding and practice of participation and representative voice, and has improved methodologies and ways of working, and set new goals to continue guiding work in those areas.
