Child Participation in Public Policies in Spain and the Basque Country

Dear readers,

This is the nineteenth edition of a series of newsletters dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities related to children and adolescents in the Basque Country, Spain, and around the world, based on the report by the Economic and Social Council (CES).

You can subscribe here to our digital newsletter, Basque Country Childhood Digital Newsletter, and also become part of our official community in Basque Country Childhood - Official Group.

As President of UNICEF Basque Country, it is an honor for me to lead this initiative, which represents a commitment to promoting children's rights and seeking collaboration with all public and private actors involved in the well-being of our children and adolescents.

Child participation is a fundamental right enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which establishes that children and adolescents have the right to express their opinion on all matters affecting them. In this edition, we will explore the importance of child participation in public decision-making, analyze successful examples of child participation in the Basque Country, and present ideas illustrating how the inclusion of young people is being promoted in public policy design.

The Importance of Children's Voices in Decision-Making

Involving children and adolescents in decision-making is not only a right but also enriches the political process and improves the quality of public policies. By listening to young voices, governments and institutions can design policies that are more inclusive and tailored to the real needs of children and adolescents.

Benefits of Child Participation

The benefits of including children in decision-making are numerous:

• More Representative Policies: Children can provide unique perspectives on issues that directly affect their well-being, such as education, the environment, health, and leisure. Their participation ensures that public policies better reflect the realities and needs of childhood.
• Development of Active Citizenship: Involving children in decision-making fosters the development of active citizenship from an early age, promoting their sense of civic responsibility and commitment to society.
• Improvement of Emotional Well-being: Feeling heard and valued increases children's self-esteem, positively contributing to their emotional and social development.

Challenges in Child Participation

Despite its benefits, child participation faces several challenges:

• Lack of Participation Spaces: In many contexts, children lack formal channels to express their opinions in public decision-making.
• Low Representation: Although there are some children's councils and other initiatives, child participation does not always translate into effective changes in policies.

Examples of Child Participation in the Basque Country

The Basque Country has been a benchmark in implementing programs that promote the active participation of children in political and community decisions. These initiatives seek to integrate their voices in the development of policies that directly affect them.

1. Children and Adolescents Councils The Children and Adolescents Councils are one of the most notable examples of child participation in the region. These councils, made up of children, work closely with city councils to make suggestions and propose initiatives related to children's rights and community well-being. Highlighted Projects: Among the proposals from the Councils are improvements to playgrounds, the creation of safe zones for pedestrians and cyclists, and campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and environmental care.
2. Child-Friendly Cities in the Basque Country The Child-Friendly Cities program, promoted by UNICEF, seeks to encourage child participation in municipalities across the Basque Country. Through this program, children take part in urban planning, improving public spaces, and managing local services.

Child Participation

To better illustrate how child participation is being integrated into public policies, we present a sequence summarizing the key steps for fostering effective child participation in decision-making.

Key Steps to Promote Child Participation

1. Create Safe Spaces: Establish children's councils or forums where children can express their opinions safely.
2. Listen Actively: Ensure that institutions and policymakers are committed to listening to and considering young people's opinions.
3. Train Children: Provide tools and knowledge for children to participate meaningfully in issues affecting them.
4. Translate Opinions into Action: Implement children's proposals in concrete public policies.
5. Monitor and Evaluate: Follow up on initiatives to ensure that children's opinions lead to real changes.

Testimonials on Child Participation

Child participation benefits not only children but also the communities they live in. Below, we share some testimonials from children who have participated in children’s councils, as well as from municipal leaders who have implemented these initiatives.

Testimonial 1: 11 year old girl member of the Children's Council "I like being on the Council because we can share our ideas about how to improve the city. We've talked about parks and play areas, and it's exciting to know that our ideas are heard and can make a difference."

Testimonial 2: Mayor of a Basque Country municipality "Incorporating child participation has been a very positive change for our municipality. It has allowed us to see the needs of young people from their perspective, which has greatly enriched our decisions. Children have a fresh and honest perspective that helps us improve our spaces and services."

Conclusions

Child participation in public decision-making is not only a right but also contributes to creating more inclusive, equitable policies that are adapted to the real needs of children and adolescents. The CES report highlights the importance of continuing to promote and expand these participation spaces, both locally and regionally, to ensure that young people's voices are heard and valued.

From UNICEF Basque Country, we will continue supporting initiatives that foster active child participation, working alongside institutions to ensure that all children play a leading role in decisions that affect their lives and their communities.

Hashtags: #ChildParticipation #Children #BasqueCountry #PublicPolicies #ChildRights #ActiveCitizenship #UNICEF #ChildFriendlyCities #Children'sVoices #Children'sCouncils

Joseba Madariaga, President UNICEF Basque Country

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