- Why do you think that children's participation rights matter?
Participation rights matter because it allows the child to be an active participant in their life. While adults believe we are acting in their best interest, sometimes we do not. There is growing evidence that some children have been more harmed than helped by some practices implemented by adults e.g attempts to move children from the streets by institutionalizing them. When we deny children a voice we are silencing them altogether and therefore dehumanizing them. Children's participation rights are crucial on so many levels as it leads to making better decisions because children do have a large body of knowledge and perspective that is unique in every situations. They are smart and they are capable and if we listen to them we can truly aid in their best interests and well-being.
2. How does the inclusion of children's participation in the UNCRC implicate States Parties that have ratified the treaty?
It implicates that children are accounted for as well as active participants in the processes that will further involve them.
3. What do children's participation rights have to do with citizenship and democratic processes that are inclusive and empowering?
Youth participation rights is empowering in many ways because it gives children a voice in times where its needs to be heard the most. It allows for children for the freedom of speech and active involvement in their own life choices. It is a democratic process because we collectively want whats best for our children, and we are now making inclusive making sure every child's voice is heard.