Creating space for children and young people’s engagement in international conferences

Globally, never before has there been such formal support of children’s and young people’s meaningful participation, nor has there been so many attempts to make it a reality. Despite support, institutional structures and adult decision makers have not been able to engage in a paradigm shift and to involve children meaningfully, effectively and sustainably. Children’s participation in their own protection can improve these protection efforts through clarifying children’s specific needs and collaboratively finding solutions. This article will use the 2015 Facilitating International Child Participation in Child Protection Conference to explore critical issues at the intersection between children’s participation and child protection and the role of interconnectedness and collaboration between children and adults within and across sectors to identify opportunities for children and young people to be engaged as partners in international conferences and meetings. The scholars, practitioners, policymakers and young people from diverse disciplines and sectors identified current ethical, legal, political and practical tensions and priorities affecting the field. The author posits that learnings and action points from the conference can act as a pivotal leverage point to build a continuous exchange between children and adults on the development of policies, programmes and measures in relevant contexts. The article will conclude with recommendations for future conferences and continuous collaboration between children and adults in international forums.