During 2010, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) conducted a consultation process with children living in the care of the State.

This report tells you what the Department of Children and Youth Affairs found out in consultations (interviews, meetings, workshops, surveys and events) about how young people who are out of education, work and training can be better included in society.

This Report forms part of the Commission’s Fourth Programme of Law Reform. It arises against the reality that we live in a truly interconnected digital and online world.

A national event took place in Croke Park, Dublin on the 20th November 2014. With 500 young people and Youth workers from around Ireland (members of Comhairle na nÓg), the Taoiseach, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The DCYA Citizen Participation Unit and Barnardos formed a partnership in July 2013 to develop a practical guide to support organisations to enable the participation of seldom-heard children and young people.

The GAA’s National Youth Committee has been given responsibility for an overall programme for Youth Consultation – named #GAAyouth – as the GAA seeks the views of children and young people on the issues that matter to them.

This Report forms part of the Commission’s Fourth Programme of Law Reform. It arises against the reality that we live in a truly interconnected digital and online world.

The Digital Strategy for Schools provides a rationale and a Government action plan for integrating ICT into teaching, learning and assessment practices in schools over the next five years.

This report presents data from HBSC Ireland 2014, the Irish Health Behaviour in School- aged Children survey.

This report outlines the views of children and young people on factors that help and hinder them in having a healthy lifestyle.

A key recommendation from the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (2014-2020) states that pupils and students should be consulted on the issue of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in order to inform future policy (Department of Education and Skills, 2014).

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

This consultation was one of two consultations with children and young people from all around Ireland on the theme ‘Healthy lifestyles: Have your say’

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

The Citizen Participation Unit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), recognised as a leading authority on the practice of participation,1 partnered with Ireland 2016 and the Department of Arts

This report details the outcomes of consultations with children and young people on Cruinniú na nÓg, a new national day of creativity for children and young people, an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

GYDPs are community based, multi-agency, youth crime prevention initiatives.

The Advisory Group met five times over the six-month timeframe of the consultation process.

This report details the findings of consultations with young people on Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs). The key objectives of the consultations were to explore young people’s views and opinions on how

Just under 13,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in Ireland. This is twice the number compared to 10 years ago and is projected to more than double again by 2045

This research report on the experiences of young students with special educational needs (SEN), and their parents, of the move from primary to
post primary school.

Children and young people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

As the Heritage Council formulated its strategic plan for the period 2018-2022, consideration was given to key questions

This National Sexual Health Strategy is Ireland’s first national framework for sexual health and wellbeing.

The Direct Provision system is the means through which the State provides accommodation, food and personal expenses to asylum seekers while their applications for asylum status are being processed.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights.

Children and Youth Affairs, working with the Department of Health and the youth sector, collaborated with SpunOut.ie to undertake an online survey of young people’s experiences of COVID-19

Students’ involvement in deciding on a new uniform in Salerno Secondary School, Co. Galway.

A parent’s story about the impact on children of having their voices heard.

Young people’s involvement in the development of a Halloween Programme in Lava Javas Youth Café, Limerick City.

How the vet ensured that the child was given Space, Voice, Audience and Influence.

Young people’s involvement in improving the experience of living in Ballydowd Special Care Unit.

Young people’s involvement in implementing the world’s first LGBTI+ youth strategy.

In October 2019, Foróige’s Reference Panel identified climate justice as an issue affecting all of society and young people in particular.

The topic was identified by two youth workers, based on interactions with young people facing the transition from second-level education.

At Creative Kids & Co., the most important aspect of our work is children’s participation in decision-making in their own learning.

Participation is the active involvement of children and young people in decision-making regarding issues that affect their lives

These instructions will ensure children’s views are listened to and considered in every aspect of The Ark and beyond!

This report details the findings of consultations with children and young people to inform the drafting of adoption regulations that will set out how the Adoption Authority of Ireland or Court will hear the views of the child in his or her adoption order hearings.

Since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, more than 1,000 children have been killed or injured in the country.

This Report represents a big step forward towards delivering the world’s first Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex+ (LGBTI+) National Youth Strategy

Protecting the rights of the child is at the core of the Council of Europe’s mission to safeguard human rights, uphold democracy and preserve the rule of law.

EPIC invited the participation of children and young people with disabilities who are, or have been in care, with whom they work. The study was structured to ensure appropriate levels of support and accountability, and to allow the meaningful participation of the children and young people.

The Voice of the Infant Best Practice Guidelines and Infant Pledge have been coproduced by a short-life working group.

This Report forms part of the Commission’s Fourth Programme of Law Reform. It arises against the reality that we live in a truly interconnected digital and online world.

There has been an increasing focus on developing policy in the area of after-school care in Ireland in the past two years.

Uirlis le haghaidh féinmheastóireachta agus meastóireachta seachtraí le húsáid ag ranna, gníomhaireachtaí agus eagraíochtaí.

Cuireann an fhoirm seo ar chumas leanaí agus daoine óga cruinnithe nó comhairliúcháin duine le duine a mheas.

Cuireann an fhoirm seo ar chumas leanaí aonair agus daoine óga measúnú a dhéanamh ar chruinnithe le cinnteoirí fásta.

Uirlis le haghaidh féinmheastóireachta agus meastóireachta seachtraí le húsáid ag ranna, gníomhaireachtaí agus eagraíochtaí.

Tugann sé treoir maidir le héisteacht le leanaí agus le daoine óga agus le guth a thabhairt dóibh i gcinnteoireacht i spásanna laethúla.

Tugann sé treoir do ranna, gníomhaireachtaí agus eagraíochtaí maidir le héisteacht le leanaí agus le daoine óga.

Soláthraíonn an tsamhail seo conair chun cuidiú le coincheapú a dhéanamh ar Airteagal 12 de Chonradh na Gaeilge.

Díríonn an Creat ar rannpháirtíocht aonair agus chomhchoiteann leanaí agus daoine óga sa chinnteoireacht.

A national event took place in Croke Park, Dublin on the 20th November 2014. With 500 young people and Youth workers from around Ireland (members of Comhairle na nÓg), the Taoiseach, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) undertook a series of consultations with children and young people to secure their views on the implementation of children’s rights in Ireland.

In the summer of 2020, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, working with the Department of Health and the youth sector, collaborated with SpunOut.ie

The Toolkit has been developed to support the work of those who organise and run the 31 Comhairlí na nÓg throughout the country.

Author: DCEDIY (formerly DCYA)

A manual for practitioners on how to include ‘seldom-heard’ children and
young people in organisations and events.

Author: Olivia McEvoy

Life skills matter – not just points is an important milestone in children and young people having a voice on issues that affect their lives.

A consultation with young people on the reform of the Junior Cycle took place in November 2010.

During 2010, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) conducted a consultation process with children living in the care of the State.

Children aged 3–5 years are at an incredibly important stage of their life. Within the last decade they have been increasingly prioritised within Irish policy

This is a toolkit for organisations who want children and young people’s participation to move from rhetoric to reality.

Author: NSW Commission for Children and Young People

The Tusla Child and Youth Participation Toolkit is a ‘quick reference’ document to support skilled practice.

Author: Dr. Celia Keenaghan and Dr. Sue Redmond

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.

Author: Professor Laura Lundy

The aim should be to create an atmosphere in which children feel comfortable, respected and valued, and that they belong.

Author: Dr Michelle Templeton and Prof Laura Lundy

The relationship between children’s human rights to protection and to what is commonly referred to as ‘participation’ has received significant attention

This report, Life as a Child and Young Person in Ireland: Report of a National Consultation, documents the views of 66,705 children and young people.

Gives guidance to departments, agencies and organisations on listening to children and young people.

Gives guidance to adults on listening to children and young people and giving them a voice in decision-making in everyday spaces.

A tool for self-evaluation and external evaluation to be used by departments, agencies and organisations.

This form enables children and young people to evaluate online meetings, consultations, surveys and other activities.

This form enables children and young people to evaluate face-to-face meetings or consultations.

This form enables individual children and young people to evaluate meetings and other engagements with adult decision-makers.

This General Comment, like all, must be read in conjunction with Article 12, one of the four guiding principles of the Convention, which enshrines the child’s right to be heard.

In this Report, we set out our vision of what it means to be an active citizen – and how individuals might be supported and encouraged to be active citizens. This is a big task – and we don’t pretend to have all the answers.

The actions initiated in the first year of implementation have focused on the lives of LGBTI+ young people across a range of sectors.

Child participation is enshrined in these guidelines in the context of children who come into conflict with the law, e.g. the right to be notified of the charges; the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses etc. which is afforded by basic procedural

This is a summary of the initiative to develop and implement a planning model for national and local interagency working to improve outcomes for children.

This report details the findings of consultations with young people on Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs).

This strategy recognises that children have an innate dignity as human beings; enrich the quality of all our lives; are especially vulnerable; thrive through the love and support of a family life; should be supported to explore, enjoy and develop their varied talents; and need help to learn responsibility as they grow towards adulthood and full citizenship.

A child-friendly art-therapy workbook designed to help children to learn about the types of violence faced by children throughout the world and give them.

This is a study of how children and young people face violence all over the world and what can be done to stop it. 

The Book “Participation – Spice It Up!” is packed full of practical tools and ideas for engaging children and young people.

This toolkit of good practice has been designed to offer advice, ideas and guidance for involving children in consultations.

This booklet shows how to put children’s participation into practice. It is for everyone in roles of public leadership and service, answering questions about how and when children’s participation is needed.

The Minimum Standards on Consulting with Children were developed to facilitate and support the participation of children in formal consultations

The Committee discussed the theme “The private sector as service provider and its role in implementing Child Rights”.

Children deprived of their liberty and placed in detention are at extreme risk of violence

The education pack, which forms the basis of the SCREAM programme, is made up of 14 educational modules and a User’s Guide.

This publication aims to promote knowledge on the care system in a child-friendly manner, including a child’s rights as a young person in care and how to effectively communicate with professionals in order to empower the child.

This report has two main aims: first, it presents the views of children gathered during the Council of Europe’s consultation exercise on child-friendly justice. Second, it reports on the consultation process itself and reflects on what lessons can be learned.

This paper reports the findings from a study of the participation of children with special educational needs (SEN) in decision-making about their needs in a sample of mainstream schools which were self-selected for having promising practices.

Article 12 of the Convention allows for a well-informed expression of views and wishes of unaccompanied minors, as it is imperative that such children are provided with all relevant information concerning, for example, their entitlements, services available.

When appropriate, juvenile or family specialised courts and criminal procedures should be established for child victims of violence. This could include the establishment of specialized units within the police, the judiciary and the prosecutor’s office.

This report documents a whole-of-government strategy, with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs having responsibility for policy leadership & support.

Better Outcomes Brighter Futures is the first overarching national children’s policy framework for children and young people aged 0-24.

This report publishes the findings of conducting a consultation process with children in the care of the State.

A consultation with young people on the reform of the Junior Cycle took place in November 2010.

This report discusses the developing policies and services that meet the needs of young people through engaging directly with them.

Special issue on the theme of eliciting the voice of children from birth to seven.

Researching Children’s Voices in Early Years Settings in the Young Knocknaheeny ABC Programme.

The main objective of the intervention programme is to measurably improve the lives of children (pre-birth to six years) and families.

This article draws on data from IMMERSE which uses participatory and co-creation methodologies with children, parents, educators and policy-makers.

Based on interviews with migrant children this report helps address the evidence gap on children and young people migrating in the Horn of Africa.

This study portrays patterns of children’s participation in public policymaking and characterize various adults’ reactions to children’s participation.

This paper explores participation, by young people who have experienced violence, in policy and practice developments.

Youth in Europe are politically engaged and having their say at the local level in many fields of democracy

A report commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the impact children and young people’s participation has had on policy-making in Scotland.

An overview of the extent to which children’s rights are promoted and taken into account in policies and practice.

UNICEF was a co-convenor of this 10th-anniversary strategic review of the issues raised in the landmark 1996 Machel study on the impacts of conflict on children, which aims to serve as an advocacy and policy tool on children and armed conflict.

In recent years, children’s voice initiatives in education have gained increased recognition and application. However, while the concept of child and student ‘voice’ is not new, there remains a high level of inconsistency in how voice-focused initiatives are implemented across education sectors.

The purpose of this article is to share examples of how practitioners working in Ireland’s child protection and welfare services implement these concepts in practice

This is an executive summary of a regional technical workshop for Save the Children and partners in Bangkok on 5-6 March 2009 on involving children and young people in violence prevention and protection.

This article describes the origins, development and contents of the Irish National Children’s Strategy, noting the links to the wider imperative of social inclusion.

This study provides a context to the provision and policy of Irish youth work. It identified that over 43,000 young people participated in youth work groups across Ireland.

The Voice of the Child project was initiated by The Genesis Programme under Louth LEADER Partnership’s ABC Programme and funded by CYPSC.

Reviewing the national and international literature on the participation of seldom heard young people and to identify best practice principles in the field.

This paper discusses ethical and methodological considerations of children’s rights-based epistemology.

This document provides a common framework to guide government and civil society to promote the meaningful participation of children in South Africa.

This study focuses on participation in decision-making processes and how rural youth could benefit from its findings in development projects

This report presents messages that young people have identified as key experiences and priority concerns during the pandemic.

This summary report presents key messages that young people have identified as key experiences and priority concerns during the pandemic since November 2020.

This qualitative study described the decision-making experiences of children, parents and therapists in occupational therapy.

The quantitative study and analysis highlights different aspects like play and mobility range, open space visitation, activities of children.

COVID-19 reveals the vital role of human rights education (HRE) in combatting racial discrimination and safeguarding youth civil rights.

Youth First focused on creating safe and interactive spaces in cyberspace for young people during the pandemic.

This systematic literature review aimed to investigate children’s views of children’s rights, at a broad level.

The article identifies some of the barriers to including children in decision making on public spending.

Exploring the challenges to youth work in capturing the voices of young people in a meaningful way within Meitheal and the Child and Family Support Networks model.

When children and young people’s involvement in research is increasingly the norm, this article reflects on the importance of a well-reasoned and transparent justification for their inclusion or exclusion

This paper describes the development and validation of the Youth/Young Adult Voice at the Agency Level (Y-VAL), an assessment of the extent to which agencies have implemented best practices for supporting meaningful participation.

This article explores how effective processes are in supporting children’s participation in decisions concerning their personal welfare, protection and care.

A special edition of Child Care in Practice on “Raising the Voice of Children and Young People in Care”

This recommendation aims to promote the deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities and their life in the community.

The Innocenti Digest on Promoting the Rights of children with disabilities. 

This paper outlines findings in relation to participation standards in HIQA foster care, residential care and special care inspection reports over a two-year period from 2013 to 2015.

“Take My Hand” report highlights young people’s experiences of, and perspectives on mental health services.

This report is based on a consultation with disabled children and young people in London in 2000. It focuses on the methods and processes of carrying out such a consultation-consent issues, how to structure consultation sessions and tools used. 

This General Comment outlines the right of young people to express views freely and have them duly taken into account (art. 12) which is fundamental in realising adolescents’ right to health and development.

This is a report on the views, hopes and fears of young people, North and South, and is the outcome of a unique cross-border conference

This report documents effective ways to promote young people’s meaningful participation in receiving health care services and/or basic information as a person in their own right and in a non-judgemental manner within a global context. 

The purpose of this study is to review the research evidence for effects, positive or negative, of participation on health outcomes for children in care. A scoping review of major health and social work research databases was undertaken. 

This paper critiques the research literature from between 1993 and 2007 on children’s, parents and healthcare professionals’ experiences of children’s participation in consultations and decision-making within the Irish healthcare setting. 

The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3 adolescents diagnosed with cancer within the previous 3 to 6 months and between 13 and 15 years of age were capable of providing data directly regarding decision making. 

Twenty-four children (aged 5 months to 18 years) who were admitted to a university hospital were observed for a total of 135 hours with the aim of describing their degree of participation in decisions concerning their own care.

Compliance with the values recognized in article 29 (1) of the UNCRC, which sets down the aims of education, clearly requires that schools be child-friendly in the fullest sense of the term and that they be consistent in all respects.

This paper conceptualizes the specific roles that adults provide and the complex interactions between youth and adults that emerge within youth participation efforts.

This lecture examines the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for modern education policy. Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention, which aims pertain to education rights, are analysed against the four guiding principles.

This project was undertaken in response to a request from the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) to undertake a review which would assist the Social Services Inspectorate to prepare for the inspection of children’s residential centres for children.

This article describes a child-centred method for engaging with children involved in the child protection and welfare system.

This paper draws upon research undertaken in Scotland but the findings of the study are relevant across the UK and beyond.

This article revisits the concept and practice of tokenism in collective child participation, querying whether it is accurate to describe it as ‘non-participation’ and assessing the extent to which it may offer a useful and sometimes necessary step on the journey to more respectful and meaningful engagement with children.

This study aimed to investigate the association between participation in organized youth sport and adult healthy lifestyle habits.

This toolkit has been developed through a collaborative process involving a number of Tusla staff­ and managers, key stakeholders, community voluntary groups, and young people.

This narrative literature review focuses on the opportunities of young people to participate, the challenges and facilitators to participation, and the outcomes of care related to participation.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland.

This report presents the findings of the second phase of FRA’s fieldwork research on child-friendly justice.

The Committee considered the second periodic report of Ireland (CRC/C/IRL/2) at its 1182nd and 1184th meetings (see CRC/C/SR1182 and 1184), held on 20 September 2006, and adopted at its 1199th meeting, held on 29 September 2006 its concluding observations

TUSLA have come up with an approach to participation to make sure that children’s views are taken into account in decisions that affect them.

The manual provides a step-by-step guide for young people carrying out a research project and the accompanying workbook is designed to complement the training by suggesting practical tasks to support the research process.

These guidelines are aimed at assisting researchers who are thinking about involving children and young people in their work. The guidelines provide practical advice to the researcher on how to involve children and young people through all stages.

This paper discusses the practical reasons for the disjuncture between the rhetoric and the practice of promoting children’s participation, including participation being a means to an end versus an end itself.

This document brings together the current thinking and practice on human rights based approaches in the education sector. It presents key issues and challenges in rights-based approaches and provides a framework for policy and programme development.

The studies discussed here suggest that face-to-face engagement between rights-holders and duty-bearers holds a distinctive place among participative methods.

Children and young people’s participation in public decision-making is now firmly on international and national agendas. This article concludes the special issue on such participation, by discussing three central issues for children.

A report of the results of a national consultation of children and young people conducted by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health to help inform the development of the new national strategy to combat obesity.

This issue of ChildLinks looks at children’s participation in decision-making and contains articles from DCEDIY and Hub na nÓg.

Editorial from a Special Issue of Children’s Geographies on developing rights-based methodolgies.

This report presents the findings of a Forum for Young People in Care established by the Irish Association of Young People in Care (now EPIC) and HSE Dublin North.

This guide provides 10 tips to help legal professionals involve children in family justice processes so that they and their families are better served.

Childhood is a major international peer reviewed journal and a forum for research relating to children in global society.

The survey explored how children’s participation rights are respected in post-separation decision-making in international family law contexts, including a focus on the legislative mechanisms and on the factors that facilitated, or hindered, children’s parents.

The articles in the preeminent International Journal of Children’s Rights reflect the perspectives of a broad range of disciplines and contribute to a greater understanding of children

This paper explores a range of options to better support the care and protection of children at risk of separation from their families or needing substitute care. It aims to move beyond the critique of residential care provided in A Last Resort.

This recommendation is aimed at member states adopting legislation and policies to provide enabling structures to mitigate the effects of autism spectrum disorder and to facilitate the social integration, & improve the living conditions.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland.

This report presents the case for children’s participation in climate change negotiations and makes recommendations for their involvement.

Review of child participation in Finland based on the Framework for the policy review process of the Council of Europe policy review on child and youth participation 2010-2011

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in conjunction with the DCEDIY and the National Participation Office undertook a consultation with young people on skin cancer prevention behaviours in 2021.

Chuaigh an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige (DCEDIY) i gcomhairle le leanaí agus daoine óga chun a gcuid tuairimí maidir le cearta leanaí in Éirinn a chloisteáil.

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.

The Family Justice Oversight group, formed by Helen McEntee Minister for Justice, is currently developing a plan for the family justice system for Ireland.

The aim of The Agenda is to assist policy-makers, managers and front-line practitioners to engage in reflective practice.

In 2007, the Minister for Children announced that his Office would consult with teenagers on alcohol misuse. The consultations were designed to explore how young people themselves view teenage drinking.

The aim of this study was to document activity in statutory and non-statutory organisations that enables participation by children and young people (under the age of 18) in decision-making that affects their lives.

A plan to strengthen the voice of children and young people in their local communities, in formal and informal education settings, in health and social services and in the national context of government decision-making.

The aims of the research were to determine what young Irish people do in their free time and what are the barriers and supports they experience and their aspirations with regard to recreation and leisure.

The revised Charter advocates adequate support and commitment to the implementation of youth participation policies and practices

An act to extend the functions of vocational education committees in relation to youth work, to provide for the making of grants in respect of youth work, to provide for the appointment of an assessor of youth work and his or her functions under the act.

This issue of the UNICEF Innocenti Digest examines the role and functions of exisiting Ombudsmen and Commissioners for Children and their success in protecting and promoting children’s rights.

The Government is committed to a coherent strategy for social inclusion based on the lifecycle approach set out in the national partnership agreement towards 2016

This report is a comparative overview of youth participation in Germany and Finland. The project was launched in November 2007 as a bilateral cooperation initiative by the Finnish Ministry of Education and the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).

Children & Society is an international, interdisciplinary journal publishing high quality research and debate on all aspects of childhood and policies and services for children and young people.

Children’s Geographies is an international peer-reviewed journal that publishes leading edge research and scholarship engaging with and advancing geographical and spatial perspectives on children, young people and families.

Using cases from Nepal and UK, the ‘Changescape’ structures the conditions that determine whether evidence from children participating in evaluation is utilised by decision-makers to shape services and inform strategic processes.

This report aims to give local authorities a brief introduction to their duties under the Child Poverty Act, and in particular, provides further information on how to involve children and young people in work on poverty.

This model provides a pathway to help conceptualise Article 12 of the
UNCRC.

The Framework focuses on children and young people’s individual and collective participation in decision-making.

The goal of this research is to give a voice to children and young people in the context of housing estate regeneration.

This general comment provides guidance and assistance to States parties in their efforts to implement the rights of children with disabilities in a comprehensive manner which covers all provisions of the Convention.

This general comment provides guidance and support to States parties and other duty-bearers to support them in respecting, protecting and fulfilling children’s right to enjoyment to the highest attainable standard of health.

Experiences of conducting focus groups with young people as part of a participatory approach to research design and participant recruitment.

The present report focuses on children who have been victims, witnesses or parties in judicial proceedings.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights instruments recognize the right of the child to respect for the child’s human dignity and physical integrity and equal protection under the law.

The fifth meeting of the Forum provided the opportunity to discuss how to move forward on the EU strategy on the Rights of the Child.

Groups of young people supported by Plan, who engage with school authorities, the media, national development organisations and the United Nations to advocate for child rights.

This report provides feedback to children who took part in the consultations for developing EveryChild’s conceptual framework.

This publication outlines and examines all the models of participation and empowerment from Arnstein’s ‘Ladder of Citizen Participation’

This guide is for Save the Children staff and partners who are involved in advocacy. You can use it as a general advocacy resource.

The resource booklet contains a series of help and advice around important skills that you may need to be involved in governance and decisionmaking.

A youth-friendly list of internationally recognised rights applicable to young people worldwide.

The programme was created because human rights education (HRE) – meaning educational programmes and activities that focus on promoting equality in human dignity – was, and remains, of incalculable value in shaping a dimension of democratic citizenship for all young people and in promoting a culture of universal human rights.

The affirmation of the right of children to participate is one of the guiding principles and most progressive innovations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

This charter is an instrument that young people can use to encourage local authorities to implement policies concerning them, as well as a tool for co-operation between young people, youth organisations, and local and regional authorities.

The Report of the consultation with young people concerning on harmful internet communications including cyberbullying

This General Comment pertains to the rights of indigenous children under the Convention, which specifically deals with Article 12 rights under paragraphs 37-39 of the General Comment.

The transition of young people to adult life can be a very unequal process: while some benefit from new opportunities, others experience vulnerability and exclusion.

Regional policy detailing strategic approaches at all governance levels on the eradication of children living on the streets and the promotion of their rights.

The case studies presented in this book describe pioneering examples of where children are given a voice. This book is part of Eurochild’s contribution to the 2010 European Year

The Board of the Childwatch International Research Network approved the establishment of a new Thematic Study Group to undertake an international scoping project entitled Building Capacity for Ethical Research with Children and Young People.

Researching Children’s Experience provides examples of how researchers from a variety of social science perspectives have set about carrying out research into children’s experience.

To improve the lives of children and adolescents it is necessary to find out about their circumstances, their needs, and the services they require to meet their needs.

This article reviews some of the areas of consensus and debate during the symposium in Oslo on “Children’s Participation in Community Settings” and evaluates the complex question: how can participation be evaluated in ways that will encourage best practices.

This document is the product of a literature review, fieldwork in India, Kenya and Ecuador and discussion with various practitioners and academics working on children’s participation.

Youth-friendly resources from DCI’s International Campaign for Inclusive Education.

This recommendation makes reference to Member states fostering the role of non-governmental organisations and youth organisations in education for democratic citizenship and human rights education, to include the UNCRC, especially in non-formal education.

This is a guide developed by the UK National Youth Agency to enable organisations working with children and young people to develop best practice on the safe, sound and sustainable participation of children and young people in the services and activities

A list of children’s rights governments must take to help children exercise set out in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This document responds to Frequently Asked Questions that NYCI receives on the inclusion of cultural and minority ethnic young people and leaders in youth work.

The government wants children and young people to have more opportunities to get involved in the design, provision and evaluation of policies and services that affect them or which they use. Actively involving children will produce better services.

This strategy will build on the existing work undertaken and documented on service user involvement in health. This strategy has been developed to ensure a systematic and consistent approach to service user involvement across the health and social services.

The Adolescent Friendly Quality Assessment Tools [AFQuATs] are designed to provide a method for health service providers and planners to assess the quality of services for young people in relation to adolescent friendly quality standards.

This article describes and analyses the process used by Barnardos in developing and implementing a participatory approach in a children’s IT project in Galway City, Ireland.

This review, undertaken by the Children’s Rights Alliance, in collaboration with our members, looks back at the ten years of the Strategy and assesses whether it has delivered on its objectives

Towards 2016 develops a new framework to address key social challenges, which individuals in Ireland face at each stage of life, including a dedicated section on the needs of children.

This General Comment considers the relationship between State obligations regarding children’s rights and the business sector.

This general comment seeks to highlight the importance of rest, leisure and play for chidren’s well-being and development.

This training video provides practical guidance and demonstrations of techniques that can help lawyers work effectively with their child clients.

This podcast discusses three critiques of legal representation brought forth by young people who are in the child-welfare system.

Veronica Yates talks to Children’s Rights Policy Officer about the new Third Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Short clip for children on their right to be heard in the context of judicial proceedings.

Video documenting the views and experiences of professionals working with and on behalf of children in the justice system.

The article reflects on a body of work with children as co-researchers and as participants.

Guide for children and young people on giving consent.

This paper argues that ethical problems in research involving direct contact with children can be overcome by using a participatory approach.

Children’s issues have become a greater priority on political agendas since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children’s issues have become a greater priority on political agendas since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This research aims to contribute to the development of National Child Well-being Indicators, a key action under the National Children’s Strategy.

This article describes changes in conventions among social scientists undertaking research with children and young people over the last decade

Hear by right: Setting standards for active involvement of young people in democracy.

Submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the General Comment on the Rights of Adolescents.

The main aim of this research is to explore young people’s experiences of participating in their care reviews.

This study explores the experiences of children and young people who have participated in participation initiatives held by the DCYA.

This report explore young children’s perspectives and use of physical and social spaces of the hospital environment.

Explores the challenges faced by researchers to undertake ethical research with children.

This handbook will help groups reflect and take stock of how effectively kids are being included in their work, activities and decision-making processes.

This guide looks at a range of issues and practicalities that should be considered when undertaking a research project with children

In 2002, a group of people got together to better understand and find ways that kids could be more involved in making decisions that affect them.

In this report, IPRT highlights the rights and needs of children and families affected by imprisonment in Ireland.

The goal of the project is to increase the respect of human rights of children deprived of liberty.

This book, published by Otago University Press, is an account of a Childwatch International collaborative international study about the meaning of citizenship to children – how they view their status and membership in society through notions of identity,

A Handbook of Children and Young People’s Participation brings together key thinkers and practitioners from diverse contexts across the globe to provide an authoritative overview of contemporary theory and practice around children’s participation. 

The book explores the historical and theoretical background to Article Twelve of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and examines the various models of participation which have been created to facilitate a better understanding of this provision.

This General Comment focuses on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in the context of early childhood.

This General Comment outlines the general measures States parties must take to secure the full and effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

General Comment published by the Committee on the Rights of the Child to encourage States parties to establish an independent human rights institution for the promotion and monitoring of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Recommendation by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to Member States, encouraging them to promote participation by children in decisions affecting them.

This volume of the ANNALS considers conceptual, legal, and practical issues related to the realization of children as citizens. Using the CRC as a starting point on the path of achieving functional citizenship for children, the distinguished contributors.

This article provides a children’s rights critique of the concept of ‘pupil voice’. The analysis is founded on Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which gives children the right to have their views given due weight.

Website of the AYF

Reigional Policy

A nation is democratic to the extent that its citizens are involved, particularly at the community level. The confidence and competence to be involved must be gradually acquired through practice.

A research project to explore how children’s rights are respected in law across the different countries who are members of the ChildWatch International Research Group

The rights of children living in residential institutions’ Recommendation Rec(2005)5 (Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 16 March 2005

This publication examines key social justice issues related to the inclusion and recognition of difference in the primary school.

Survey carried out by Eurochild on children in alternative care 2nd edition.

“Why Don’t We?” is designed to be used in an informal environment by both young people and youth work practitioners. Many of the activities and reflective exercises are action based and require participation by all members of the group (both adults and young people).

This special issue results from an international research symposium, held in 2006 to discuss papers addressing the theme of Children and Young People as Social Actors.

This issue explores perspectives on participation from experiences in Africa and seeks to elucidate key insights and lessons and raise further questions for debate.

This paper aims to explore present thinking and experience on childhood and children and in light of these insights identify the most constructive future directions for policy.

Webpage containing links to resolutions by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

Statement by the European Network of Ombudpersons for Children urging States in Europe to implement Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Given the current trends of reducing the functions and mandates of Ombudspersons for Children institutions across Europe, ENOC carried out in 2010 a survey on the role and scope of competences of ENOC member institutions. 

Global Study analysing the role of independent human rights institutions.

Guide developed to help CIDA staff and development partners to incorporate child participation results into CIDA programmes.

This leaflet outlines a set of agreed standards for the participation of children and young people participating in decision-making processes in Wales.

There is a new awareness by policymakers of the effectiveness of integrating young people’s everyday perspectives into participation

The aim of this study was to describe and capture the meaning of children’s perspective on their right to participate in decision-making.

This article explores child welfare workers’ experiences of children’s participation in decision-making in the child protection system

This article argues for a situational perspective of children’s participation to act in the child’s best interest.

Key findings and recommendations from a study on children and young people’s participation in planning meetings concerning their school attendance.

This report details the current legal protection that exists for children in Ireland as well as the gaps that remain in the recognition of their rights.

The findings detailed here explore the experiences and ideas for change from children and young people precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

An investigation behind the concepts, motivations and perceptions of parents and educators in relation to school readiness and school starting age.

This paper proposes how to give effect to the 2004 OMC “Young Voices: Guidelines on how to Involve Children and Young People in Your Work” recommendations.

An act to make provision in the interests of the common good for the education of every person in the state.

An act to amend and extend the planning and development act 2000, to amend the transport (railway infrastructure) act 2001, and to provide for related matters.

A proposed policy and action plan for the period of the third arts plan. 

These guidelines have been compiled by the Arts Council in collaboration with the arts sector and the Health Service Executive (Information and Advice Persons).

The Arts Council’s strategic approach has a dual focus on supporting artists and arts organisations and on seeking to increase public engagement and participation in the arts.

The aim of the research is the identification and evaluation of models of good practice for consulting children and young people experiencing poverty or other forms of social exclusion in relation to public policy developments affecting them.

The NCCA designed a portraiture study to develop portraits of children’s experiences of early learning and development in a range of settings in Ireland.

Ireland’s second periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child as per the requirements under Article 44 of the Convention.

A study of young people in residential care and their experiences of education 

This research highlighted a widespread stereotyping of young people in a range of arenas. The research concluded that the young people interviewed saw their institutional relationships with adults as for the most part unequal, troubled and rooted in stereotypical ideas about their attributes and abilities.

This Report forms part of the Commissions Third Programme of Law Reform and follows the publication in 2009 of a Consultation Paper on Children and the Law: Medical Treatment.

A study on the legal and non-legal measures of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 12 countries other than the UK.

This article highlights the problems faced by the Court and explains why, in addition to the reforms above, it is vital that the Court be overhauled both to address its effectiveness as the central agency in the youth justice system.

There are significant challenges for researchers in accessing children’s voices about matters that pertain to them in school settings.

The program and its underlying Participatory Planning Pedagogy (PPP) and curriculum follow a student-led and rights-based approach that builds upon global Child Friendly Cities scholarship.

An Analysis of the Norwegian County Boards’ Decision-making in Cases about Adoption from Care

This article describes the process and findings of the ground-breaking CovidUnder19 survey which was co-designed with children, for children.

This article sheds some much-needed light on how participation rights can be made “real” at a local level.

Aboriginal children and young people have much to say about governance, law and policy, particularly about matters that are likely to affect their lives.

The article is based on interviews with 22 children’s spokespersons in the Norwegian arrangement for indirect participation in care proceedings.

The aim of the article is to champion and celebrate School Councils in Northern Ireland and identify ways to support and enhance their work.

The Education Act, 1998 provides for the establishment of student councils, intending them to play an integral and important role in the school community.

The right of children to participate in decision‑making in all matters that affect their lives is a well‑established legal principle and international research.

Young people’s participation in the economic, political and cultural life of all Australians is fundamental both now and in the future.

The report provides details of the monitoring and evaluation of the Barnardos Glór na nÓg project.

This document’s purpose is to guide CYPSC to provide a series of practical steps in engaging children and young people in decision-making.

This article explores children’s rule-following behaviour, as part of an ongoing study underway in the Contextual Behavioural Science lab at UCD.

This Report provides a blueprint for the development of CYPSC operationally and strategically within the broader context of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020.

This study was commissioned in the context of policy development in the field of young people’s recreation and leisure.

Resource booklet on how to set up a YAP in order to hear and learn from the views of children and young people.

This publication was produced by the separated children project run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. The project involved the participation of 35 separated children living in the Dublin area.

This publication was produced by the separated children project run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.

This report highlights the views and ideas of ten groups of children and young people consulted by the OCO between September and December 2011 about schools’ handling of bullying.  

The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which children and young people aged 7-17 and living in contemporary and rural Ireland, are able to participate and influence matters affecting their home, school and community.

This National Children’s Consultation represents a rare and diverse attempt to study a large population of young people’s alcohol use, their attitudes to alcohol, and their individual experience of their parent/guardians alcohol use within an Irish context

This research was commissioned in 2006 by the Ombudsman for Children as a baseline research study concerning children’s rights in Ireland.

This programme seeks to embed prevention and early intervention into the culture and operation of Tusla.

This study focuses on collective participation, which is defined as ‘the goal of improving services for everyone in the same situation’.

This study uses the Lundy Model of Participation to understand what is required if children and young people are to meaningfully participate in decisions made about their lives.

The Child and Youth Participation Strategy is our first participation strategy, spanning the period 2019-2023.