“You need to do it well already. If you don’t do it well before the crisis, then you don’t stand a chance.” (Christine Ravn Lund, Danish Youth Council)
How do we ensure meaningful child and youth participation in decision making during crisis? After having consulted with over 100 youth representatives from all over the Nordic region, as well as adult experts and decision makers, the short answer is simple: build resilient structures that work, because they will also work in a crisis.
However, the longer answer is somewhat more complex. Our usual participatory structures are at risk when decisions need to be taken quickly and when politicians and decision makers must make difficult trade-offs between different needs and rights. This is particularly true during a new crisis. If we did not know this before, the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly taught us this. To ensure child and youth participation during times of crises, it is important to stand on a basis that is consistent with children’s rights. Knowledge, habits, and a genuine desire to learn from children and youth are essential.
To be heard is not only a right; the voices and perspectives of children and youth are also an invaluable resource for all decision makers that intend to make better decisions.