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xChildren and young people’s right to participate
Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have a right to express their views and have these taken into account when decisions are made which affect them.
Involving children and young people in decision-making:
- ensures that their rights are upheld;
- improves the quality of decision-making;
- fosters active citizenship;
- increases children and young people’s confidence and self-esteem.
The UN Committee is clear that participation must be ongoing and consistent, not be tokenistic and must try to gather representative views. It is important that children and young people are involved in decision-making at both national and local level.
Involving Children and Young People in Scotland
Expand the headings below to read about some of the ways children and young people are being involved in decision-making in Scotland.