Children and youth express opinions, take responsibility and make a difference

Meaningful and safe spaces for children to express, deliberate and influence decisions that affect their lives

Child participation is critical for the successful implementation of a universal sustainable development that leaves no child behind and will accelerate the protection, respect and fulfilment of children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Far from being merely recipients of decisions made for them, children should be propelled to the forefront, enabling them to be decisive stakeholders.

Child participation represents more than just a forum for discussion—it’s a beacon of empowerment, validation of children's agency and facilitation of their active role in shaping their future. At World Vision, our commitment lies in nurturing genuine, safe, and impactful child participation. We believe in the transformative potential of young voices and have improved methodologies and ways of working to push the boundaries further, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has a voice that resonates.

SDGs supported:

World Vision supports SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 8 and SDG 16 through child participation and youth development programmes.

Child participation progress in East Asia

Over 715,000 children

actively participated in child protection and participation initiatives.

304,741 most vulnerable children

were involved in meaningful activities.

Over 3,800 children’s groups

were supported by World Vision, resulting in a network of 110,500 empowered child leaders.

Over 8,700 young minds

were engaged in World Vision's researches and data-driven approaches.

Our approach to promoting child participation

Depending on the context, specific issues at hand, and the resources and support available, children can participate at distinct levels: consultative, collaborative, and child-led.

Consultative Participation

Child participation at a consultative level involves actively seeking and integrating the perspectives of children and young people into decision-making, programme design, implementation and evaluation. It is initiated and guided by adults, aiming to incorporate the valuable insights of children and young people into initiatives that affect them. This approach fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration, empowering children and young people as stakeholders in shaping their environments.

Collaborative Participation

At a collaborative level, children and young people work together with adults as partners to shape initiatives and decisions. While typically initiated by adults, children are involved as equal partners, empowered to contribute and influence outcomes. As children and young people gain experience and confidence, they gradually take on more self-directed roles, fostering a sense of ownership and agency in the collaborative process.

Child-Led Participation

At this participation level, adults empower children to initiate activities and advocate autonomously. Children take charge of identifying relevant issues, orchestrating discussions, and implementing actions, while adults adopt a supportive role as facilitators. Despite children taking the lead, adults maintain readiness to address any child safeguarding concerns that may arise during the activities, ensuring ongoing protection and support for the children involved. World Vision's approach to child-led participation is enriched by child-led mobilisation and child-led research initiatives.

It excites us to engage with external stakeholders at national and international level. It motivates us to become better young leaders.

Listening to Children and Young People in East Asia, April 2023

Child participation isn’t just a new idea—it’s crucial for real change.

Nomundari, child advocate & climate change activist

Young Minds CAMP Initiative

Young Minds CAMP prepares young leaders to take on the global stage in advancing their child-led initiatives and advocacy efforts for the well-being of children in East Asia.