This Toolkit provides an ‘Overview and Context’ as well as the ‘Benefits of including Seldom-heard Children and Young People in Decision-Making’ on (blue) pages 1-10. The ‘Role of Management in ensuring the participation of seldom-heard children and young people’ is then outlined on (purple) pages 11-19.
The Comhairle na nÓg Toolkit has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) Citizen Participation Unit to support the work of those who organise and run the 31 Comhairlí na nÓg throughout the country. Comhairlí na nÓg are part-funded by the DCYA Comhairle Development Fund, which is managed by Pobal in … Continued
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they … Continued
Since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 7.7 million refugees have fled the country to seek safety in other European countries. An estimated 40% are children. Save the Children research with more than 1,000 children and caregivers in eight European countries, shows that children who have left Ukraine face significant … Continued
This book showcases rights based participatory approaches to policy-making, practice and research with children and youth. Throughout its three parts, the book conceptualises a rights-based participatory approach; showcases constructive and innovative rights based participatory approaches across the domains of research, policy and practice; and interrogates the challenges and complexities in the implementation of such an … Continued
Purpose Participation is the active involvement of children and young people in decision-making regarding issues that affect their lives. It is crucial in the context of child protection and welfare systems and how they respond to the needs of children and young people. The purpose of this paper is to report on the evaluation of … Continued
This is a guide for children and young people from 12 to 17 years old to understand the main objectives of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027).
The aim should be to create an atmosphere in which children feel comfortable, respected and valued, and that they belong. An atmosphere that is too formal may be limiting and the children may feel unsure of how they fit, what their role and obligations are and may feel like a token child. It might be … Continued
Children gave us the following reasons why documents, laws and policies should be child-friendly: If it’s friendly for the adults, it should be friendly for the kids. And if it’s friendly for the kids, it will also be more friendly for the adults. Children are EU citizens too. Children will be more likely to accept … Continued
In the years since the last Children’s Report, children’s lives in Ireland have undoubtedly changed significantly. As with the rest of the world, the Covid 19 pandemic hit children in Ireland hard, and the full impact of public health restrictions on their education, health and mental health, family and other personal relationships is still largely … Continued