Over 15 months from February 2025 to May 2026, we, as a group of children and young people from Bolivia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, worked together to strengthen participation.
We formed the Children and Young People’s Task Group with one important goal: to improve the way children and young people participate in global events and decision-making processes.
This journey allowed us to draw on our personal experiences participating in global, regional and national events. Our experiences showed inconsistency in how children and young people were involved in these events, with some invited only to sit and listen, not actively engage. It’s like being invited to a party and just sitting down without dancing; missing the essence of the party altogether.
Getting views from around the world
Before our task group started, in 2024, adults organised a survey involving 124 children and young people aged 8-24 from around the world about their experiences and views on participating in global events. In May 2025, another survey was organised and we facilitated an online event so children and young people around the world could share diverse views and experiences with us.
They echoed the Task Group’s thoughts, further demonstrating how participation can vary from one event to another, whilst sharing new ideas around feedback, communication, and safe spaces. This revealed how participation standards can help curb the gap.
As a part of our online engagement event, we also heard from reputable persons in the advocacy world who gave their insights into participation in global events.
| “Being part of the task group gave me the opportunity to reflect on and share my experiences of children and young people’s participation in events, with the aim of improving consistency, inclusivity, and influence. The process widened my understanding of children’s rights in practice across different contexts, and the learning and connections made will be invaluable in my advocacy work going forward.” Arthur, Wales |
Our rights and recommendations into standards
Building upon this feedback, we worked together to develop these standards. All of our work was centred on our belief that every child has the right to be heard, listened to, and taken seriously, as outlined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We drew on existing child participation frameworks including the Lundy Model and the Nine Basic Requirements to make sure that our standards align with good practice, whilst adding a new perspective.
An important question when developing the standards was how should they be organised to make our points and recommendations clear? We decided to use a Before, During, and After structure to show that children and young people’s participation in global events extends beyond a single day. We heard from a range of children and young people that meaningful preparation and follow-up are essential ingredients to make an event a success.
| “This experience has strengthened my confidence as a young advocate and reminded me that participation is more than being present in a room - it is about being listened to, respected and having the opportunity to influence the outcome.” Francine, Zambia |
Now it’s over to you!
After a lot of Zoom meetings, consultations with over 200 children and young people, and an insightful global launch, our standards are now available for you to access!
It’s our hope that this is just the start of more meaningful engagement of children and young people in events, but for that to happen, we need your help.
Take a look at the publication, share with your networks, and consider our DOs and DON’Ts when you’re planning events in the future.
We, as the Children’s and Young People’s Task Group, challenge you to INCLUDE US! in your future events.
About Arthur and Francine
Arthur is a children’s rights advocate and youth participation practitioner based in Wales. Since becoming involved in advocacy in 2019, he has worked with organisations including UNICEF, Children in Wales, and The Diana Award on advisory, governance, and consultancy projects focused on strengthening how children and young people are listened to in research, policy, and decision-making spaces.
Francine is a passionate young advocate from Zambia committed to advancing the meaningful participation of children and young people in decision-making. With a strong focus on children's rights, youth engagement, and social justice, she contributes to creating inclusive opportunities for young people. She is a volunteer mentor with Jesus Cares Ministries and guided by empathy, strives for a future where young people are not merely consulted but are recognised and included as active partners in creating lasting change.