Children’s participation in decisions that affect their lives was one of the key themes of the “Connect to Protect” international conference in Athens. Experts from different countries stressed that listening to children is important, but genuine participation requires that their views can influence decisions and services.

The topic was addressed by international child rights expert Philip Jaffé, specialists in social protection and justice, and representatives of youth participation programmes.

Listening to children is not enough

Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child enshrines the child’s right to express their views freely on matters affecting them and to have those views given due weight.

In his speech and during the panel discussion, Philip Jaffé stressed that children’s participation is sometimes limited to asking for their opinion, without making any real change on the basis of it.

In his view, children’s participation can be considered meaningful only when adults are ready to reconsider their own decisions on the basis of the views children express.

This principle applies both to individual case management and to the design of services, programmes and public policies.

Children’s participation in individual support plans

The conference presented a method for the psychosocial recovery of displaced and war-affected children, built around a goal chosen by the child.

The professional did not impose on the child what their recovery should mean.

Instead, the child chose which change in their life mattered most to them.

They might want to make new friends, rebuild a relationship with a family member, trust themselves again or overcome an everyday fear.

This approach shows that recognising a child’s own goals can lead to more individualised and effective support.

Children’s participation in justice system reform

The conference also heard international examples of children and young people taking part in designing the justice services and policies intended for them.

In particular, participatory initiatives in the United Kingdom were mentioned, through which young people with complex life experiences have been involved in advisory bodies and service improvement processes.

Slovenia’s experience was also presented, where children were involved in discussions on child-friendly justice and the introduction of the Barnahus model.

These examples show that children’s experience can be valuable not only for individual decisions, but also for legislative and system reform.

From youth participation to leadership

Another important discussion concerned children’s and young people’s participation in creating digital technologies.

During the presentation of UNICEF’s innovation initiatives, it was stressed that simply giving young people the chance to comment on technology is not enough.

Conditions need to be created for them to gain technological skills, take part in designing digital tools and develop safe solutions for themselves and other children.

Examples included programmes in which young people learn game development, programming and online safety principles.

This approach sees children not only as users of services or technology, but as active participants who create change.

Children’s participation must be inclusive

Special attention was paid to ensuring the participation of children whose voices are often underrepresented.

These include children with disabilities, children living in care institutions, refugee and migrant children, children who have experienced violence and children living in socially vulnerable conditions.

Their participation requires accessible, safe and age-appropriate mechanisms.

It is also important that children understand why their views are being sought, how they will be used and what has changed as a result of their participation.