Council of Europe consultation on children and young people’s participation

The Council of Europe (CoE) has launched a consultation on the participation of children and young people under 18 in decisions affecting them. Although the 47 member states represented by the CoE have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), many European children do not have the opportunity to be heard in on all issues affecting their lives.

The consultation is now available for comments. All the comments received will be reviewed and presented in the meeting of the CoE Advisory Council on Youth which will take place in October 2011. The consultation will feed into a final document which is expected to be adopted by the Committee of Ministers at the beginning of 2012.

The CoE is actively involving children and young people in the work on this recommendation and is encouraging organisations to consult children and young people before sending their comments.

You can download a copy of the consultation document from the CoE website.

The consultation period is open until 8 June 2011.
If you have any questions or need more information contact: Agnes von Maravic - Agnes.vonMaravic@coe.int

Have a look at the Participation Works topic areas including Policy, Rights and International Participation.

Listen and Change - A Guide to Children and Young People's Participation Rights
This guide aims to increase understanding of children and young people’s participation rights and how they can be realised in local authority and third sector settings. It suggests ways to effectively listen to children and young people in order to create change with them and for them.
Find out more