This page is background information, last updated in May 2002 and still available for reference. For the latest on the Special Session on Children, please go to the Special Session index.

Panel on Promoting Children's Participation

Young persons share their perceptions and experiences about participating in decision-making processes at various levels.

The panel was organized by the Governments of Norway and Sweden, the Norwegian Forum for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Save the Children Alliance. Samir Sandberg, a Swedish youth representative, moderated it.

Opening remarks were delivered by Laila Dåvoy, the Norwegian Minister of Children and Family Affairs. Ms. Dåvoy announced that on behalf of the European Council, Norway will arrange for a Conference on Child and Youth Participation in August 2002.

The young Norwegian panelists included: Heidi Grande, Lena Richardt, Suzanne Stensrud, Henrik Solberg and Lars Blom. Ms. Grande introduced the presentations of the Forum for the CRC in Norway by stating that "if participation is meant to be for ALL children, then EVERYONE has to be seen and respected". Ms. Richardt highlighted challenges related to the participation of children with disabilities, and Ms. Stensrud spoke about giving voice to victims of sexual abuse. Mr. Solberg, called attention to the need for the participation of young people from indigenous groups. Mr. Blom announced the availability of ‘Hello, is anyone there?”, a publication of Redd Barna Save the Children Norway.

Manuel Acosta, a young person from Peru, explained how student councils are organized in his country. The Junior Council of the United Republic of Tanzania, which has child representatives from each region of that country, was presented by Faraja Kotta. Experiences of a children's committee for village development in Ladakh, India were presented by Nawaz Ali.

The concluding speech of the event was delivered by Lena Hjelm-Wallén. Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden who observed: "The process to include young views requires care and sense. Only then can we foster more young people to grow into responsible citizens."