Constructing children’s participation

In the twenty-first century, children's participation has become of global interest because of its significant status in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This chapter looks briefly at the question of meaning, problems of definition and ambiguities in the use of the term participation. It outlines the background and context of the use of participation in community, development social and youth work. The book looks at children's participation in the UNCRC, developments in practice, the way children's participation has been articulated through a UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment. It also looks at links to children's citizenship and participation in public decision-making. The book presents some ideas about dimensions of power, children's participation and accountability. Children's participation has been recognised as core to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) since its inception, as one of three underlying principles: 'protection', 'provision' and 'participation'.