Participate!

"Give us the chance early and see how we fly." Khairul , 17, from Malaysia, speaking at the UN Special Session on Children

© UNICEF/HQ02-0147/Markisz

Gabriella, 12, from Bolivia at the UN Special Session on Children.

These are exciting times for young people. There are the beginnings of a major shift in the attitudes of politicians, leaders, non-governmental organizations and others who deal with children. Instead of looking at relationships with young people mainly in terms of adults' responsibilities, many have begun to think more in terms of your rights—including your right to have your say and be heard.

Governments have a big part to play, of course. But for real progress to be made in making sure your rights are respected, everyone needs to do their bit, and especially:

"We are not the sources of problems. We are the resources that are needed to solve them … You call us the future, but we are also the present." From A World Fit for Us, the statement of the Children's Forum to the Special Session

• teachers and all other adults working with and for children
• parents and guardians
• community leaders
• YOU and other young people!

Participation is good for you. It will make life more interesting as well as improve your confidence and assertiveness. It should also be fun! You can participate in the promotion and protection of your rights by putting on a play, taking photographs, singing, doing sports, writing to your local newspaper, joining a club … It's a question of getting involved in your community while doing the things you want to do.

Your participation is good for others. Other people — kids and adults — may not see what you see, or understand things the way you do. Your insights and priorities can make a big difference to what happens in your community, in the wider community, and even in your country and the world at large. Participation gives you a stake in the future. It's your future!

These pages are about how young people around the world are helping to mould their communities and their futures. They're also about how to get started if you want a piece of the action.