How can we encourage civic engagement amongst the younger generation?

I am delighted that the Youth Select Committee has chosen to focus on young people’s civic engagement in this inquiry. Decisions made today by Parliament, local councils, and even other organisations like schools will impact on children and young people for years to come.

As the people most affected by these decisions, children and young people have the right to have their voices heard and taken into account. This right is set out in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but in practice, is seldom upheld.

This is a great shame, not only for the children and young people whose opinions are not gathered or not heard, but for everyone, because decisions made with the participation and partnership of children and young people tend to be better, fairer, and more enduring.

Read the full submission below.