Local decisions
Much of the opportunity for children’s participation takes place at the community level. The Committee welcomes the growing number of local youth parliaments, municipal children’s councils and ad hoc consultations where children can voice their views in decision-making processes. However, these structures for formal representative participation in local government should be just one of many approaches to the implementation of article 12 at the local level, as they only allow for a relatively small number of children to engage in their local communities. (..)
Committee on the right of the child, General comment 12, 127
Why decide with children
Society depends on us believing in democracy
Feeling safe is necessary to express our views
More helpful help services
Leisure activities we want to go to
Recommendations from local policiticans
Maria Stagis, local decision-maker (DK)
Sofia Pettersson, local politician (SE)
Sara Fernlund, local politician (SE)
What types of decisions children and young people should be involved in making in the municipality, according to themselves:
- Which anti-bullying, violence and discrimination measures the municipality should implement in schools and youth arenas
- Which initiatives the municipality should fund to reduce loneliness and social exclusion among young people
- Which climate and environmental measures the municipality should prioritize
- Which cultural activities the municipality should offer and fund
- Where youth clubs and safe meeting places should be located and how they should be designed
- Which preventive initiatives for children and young people the municipality should prioritize
- How the municipal budget should be prioritized in areas that affect children and young people
- How transportation should be organized for children and young people (public transport, school transport, safe routes)
- How public spaces such as parks, sports areas and youth meeting places should be designed
- Which support measures should be available for young people who are struggling
- How mental health services for young people should be organized and made accessible
