Communication to and engaging of children and young people in the public debate
Research on the Covid-19 crisis concerning the participation of children and the effect on children
The limited research on children’s participation likely reflects the fact that children were not systematically involved in decision-making by authorities.
The few studies that have been done were mostly undertaken after the Covid-19 crisis and were mostly local, such as a study in Herning Municipality on how children aged 3–6 years experienced daycare centres on returning to these during the Covid-19 restrictions. The Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing conducted a survey in Danish municipalities about their first experiences with Covid-19 in the area of vulnerable children and found both positive and negative consequences of the closure (Socialstyrelsen, 2022). VIVE’s study on families with younger children and their experiences during Covid-19 (Lau-Jensen Hirani et al., 2021) is also relevant. For a thorough overview of the facts on studies and research, see the report on Children and young people’s participation during the corona pandemic: Nordic initiatives by researchers Alix Helfer, Viola Särkiluoto, and Sinikka Aapola-Kari from the Finnish Youth Research Society and Jakob Trane Ibsen from VIVE , The Danish Centre for Social Science Research (2023). Lessons learned and challenges
Lack of structured mechanisms for involving children and young people in decision-making in times of crisis, such as school closures which were decided solely on health grounds and did not give due weight to children’s perspectives.
Increased mental health problems among children and young people as a result of the lockdown, with vulnerable children at particular risk. The normal safety net of professionals providing information to the community was severely weakened by the presence of children only at home.
An increase in unsafe environmental problems for vulnerable children as they had to stay at home and were unable to seek protection, e.g. at school or during leisure activities. Teachers, educators and others were unable to identify the needs of children when they were not in contact with them.
Increased use of digital platforms for education and communication was not always sufficient for meaningful participation.
Recommendations for future crisis
Develop a national strategy for involving children in crisis-related decision-making, with a formalised mechanism to ensure their involvement.
Undertake Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA) to ensure that all potential consequences for the well-being and rights of children and young people are taken into account in decision-making processes.
To produce a synthesis of studies, evaluations, and research shedding light on the impact of the management of the Covid-19 crisis on children and young people, with a view to conducting future Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA).
Challenges where Nordic co-operation can contribute
The Nordic countries could benefit from sharing their experiences of legislation, practices, and methods to ensure that children’s rights are heard in times of crisis, in order to recommend well-founded practices and methods for the future.
It would also be important to look at how the different Nordic countries’ strategies for dealing with the Covid-19 crisis have affected children and young people both during and after the crisis.
Furthermore, by ensuring that children’s voices are consistently included in decision-making processes, increased cooperation can help to promote a stronger, more unified approach to the challenges faced by children in crisis situations.
Follow-up initiatives after Covid-19
There were various follow-up initiatives, including both national and local activities to promote well-being in schools.
Proposals for Nordic co-operation
Joint declaration
In light of the recent global and regional challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need for stronger Nordic cooperation to ensure the protection and participation of children in times of crisis. To this end, we encourage the Nordic countries to explore the possibility of adopting a joint declaration reaffirming their shared commitment to the protection of children’s rights in exceptional circumstances.
Such a declaration would serve as a political and moral basis for integrating a child rights perspective in all phases of crisis preparedness, response, and recovery.
On-set collaboration
This initiative could include the development of a common approach to ensuring that children are meaningfully involved in decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. By committing to the use of Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA) as a part of crisis response mechanisms, the Nordic countries would further strengthen their commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, enhanced cooperation could help promote child-friendly communication strategies and strengthen the role of independent institutions, such as national ombudspersons, in guiding and supporting national efforts.
In parallel, it is suggested that the Nordic countries consider establishing a more structured and operational form of cooperation that can be activated in the early stages of a crisis. Such a mechanism could facilitate the timely sharing of knowledge, tools, and expertise and support the alignment of practices between national systems. By building on existing trust and shared values, this framework could enhance the Nordic countries’ ability to respond to crises in a coordinated, efficient, and child-focused manner. The experience of previous emergencies could very well act as a mechanism for continuous learning and adaptation for governments and professionals to be used in the event of future crises.
References
Helfer, A., Aapola-Kari, S., & Trane-Ibsen, J. (Eds.). (2023). Children and young people’s participation during the corona pandemic – Nordic initiatives (Danish contribution by VIVE). Finnish Youth Research Society.
Lau-Jensen Hirani, J., Pontoppidan, M., Wüst, M., & Boe Rayce, S. (2021). Trivsel og hverdagsliv i danske småbørnsfamilier under covid-19-nedlukningen foråret 2020. VIVE.
Socialstyrelsen (2022). Kommunernes første erfaringer med COVID-19.
Sundhedsstyrelsen (2020). Dialog med unge om deres liv under coronaepidemien Inspirationsmateriale til grundskolens udskolingssklasser.