Children, young people and participation

In 2019, the Nordic Welfare Centre and the Nordic Council’s advisory body for children and youth issues, the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK) launched a project that will contribute to the increased exchange of knowledge and experiences in the Nordic countries regarding participation for children and young people with disabilities. The purpose is to strengthen the rights of disabled children and young people and improve their opportunities for participation in society. The right refers to Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 7 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

There are examples of successful models for involving children and young people with disabilities in the Nordic countries. A key aspect of the project is to highlight precisely these examples and help to disseminate them.

In this project, Nordic experts appointed by the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People will provide advice about how the Nordic countries can better facilitate participation and influence for children and young people with disabilities.

The project is being conducted as one of the activities of the Nordic Council’s Action Plan for Nordic Co-operation on Disability 2018–2022,  and also contributes to the implementation of the Strategy for Child and Youth Co-operation.

Results

• See, listen and include – Participation for children and young people with disabilities in the Nordic countries (2021)
• No child or young person should be left behind – A child rights and youth perspective in Nordic disability co-operation (2020)

Objective

To strengthen the rights of children and young people with disabilities and improve their opportunities for participation in society.

• Contribute to greater knowledge and dialogue on human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities in the Nordic region and internationally.
• To develop a strategy for integrating a child rights and youth perspective in Nordic co-operation related to disabilities, including finding activities that can be included in the Nordic Council’s Action Plan for Nordic Co-operation on Disability 2018–2022.
• An overview shall be provided of good examples of working methods that involve children and young people with disabilities in decisions that concern them, or in activities that lead to greater inclusion. The purpose is to increase knowledge of active methods to promote the participation of disabled children and young people and to strengthen Nordic work in the field.
• An overview will be developed of key national and Nordic players responsible for the participation of children and young people with disabilities. The purpose is to facilitate increased co-operation and knowledge exchange.

Target groups

• Everyone who works with children and young people with disabilities, including officials in organisations, institutions and government agencies.
• Experts at national authorities and companies with particular responsibility for promoting the participation of children and young people with disabilities.
• Nordic decision-makers, public sector workers and relevant institutions and co-operative bodies.
• Children’s and youth organisations and organisations representing children and young people.

Background

All the Nordic countries have ratified the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Children and young people with disabilities are afforded particular attention in both conventions, and have the right to participate on the same terms as other people.

The goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also require countries to strengthen equality and work aimed at ensuring that all children and young people have an equal right to participate and determine their own futures. Although the Nordic region has well-developed welfare systems and a tradition of equalising differences between different social groups, major weaknesses exist with regard to the participation of children and young people with disabilities in all areas of society.