Why do children’s participation rights matter?
- I think children’s participation rights matter because as Landon Pearson says in the mini lecture, when the UNCRC was created it was children and youth however in all that children were not being heard. Their voices on opinions were not heard on matters that concerned them so the CRC was, in part, not working in the benefit of the children. Therefore, their participation matter because the foundation of all this is for children so everything has to be done for them and how best can we serve them if we do not listen to their voices? And it is important to act in children’s best interests.
How does the inclusion of children's participation in the UNCRC implicate States Parties that have ratified the treaty?
- It impacts those children who’s country did not ratified the treaty. The CRC is there, yes their government has sign it but does not implement the treaty in the society because of ‘personal reasons’. Therefore the children do not have access to or cannot in some context claim the rights and are not treated as other children in countries where the CRC is ratified and implanted in the society.
What do children's participation rights have to do with citizenship and democratic processes that are inclusive and empowering?
- Children have to know their rights as any normal citizen and they should have the opportunity to participate in decision making especially decision that matters them