Participation of children and youth
The participation of children and youth is guaranteed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 12. However, while opportunities for conflict-affected children and youth to participate in activities are expanding, their participation in decision-making remains limited.
One common form of participation is the establishment of organized clubs and groups. In the Gulu region of northern Uganda, for example, more than 200 registered youth groups are providing social services and support to communities, including HIV/AIDS-awareness and income-generating activities, despite inconsistent financial support.
When children have access to information as members of organizations and are involved in decisions that affect them, they are better able to protect themselves, survive and develop.
More serious efforts are being made to understand the motivations of young people and to respond with a view to enabling participation and change in non-violent ways. For example, the Machel Review was prepared with an inter-agency advisory group and featured a multi-stakeholder process involving United Nations system partners, Member States, non-governmental organizations and other representatives of civil society, as well as children themselves. "Will you listen? Young voices from Conflict Zones" report compiles the views of some 1,700 children and young people in 92 countries. Their thoughts and ideas were collected as a key contribution to the Review through a series of focus group discussions and an online questionnaire. The report was presented at the UN in October 2007.
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