Public Awareness

Children and Youth Participation on the Rights of the Child

It is the  HFC "Hope For Children" Office for Children’s Rights’ policy to promote the participation of children and young people in civic society. This commitment is in line with Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

HFC “Hope For Children" Office for Children’s Rights (HFC-OCR) is committed to implementing this goal by promoting and supporting participation by children and young people in issues that affect them. The HFC-OCR takes a lead role under the National, European and International Children’s Strategy in ensuring that children and young people have a voice in the design, delivery and monitoring of services and policies that affect their lives, at national and local level.

HFC-OCR is continuously learning from working in partnership with children and young people and our practice has changed and improved through this interaction. Our understanding of the needs, concerns and interests of young people have resulted in policies and practices that are more relevant and more likely to be effective. All our work at HFC-OCR is based on the belief that children and young people are not only the adults of tomorrow but, more importantly, the citizens of today.

HFC-OCR takes responsibility in overseeing the development and improvement of participation structures and also undertakes specific participation initiatives in partnership with statutory bodies, government departments and non-government organisations. We are committed to ensuring that seldom heard children and young people are included in participation structures and projects.

HFC-OCR is working to become an institution of excellence for participation by children and young people in decision-making. Central to the success of this process is the collaborative interaction between the participation and research teams within HFC-OCR and other teams within its partnerships such as universities and research institutions. This collaboration ensures that best practice in young people’s participation is a priority and that outcomes are robust and evidenced-based.