The project aims to strengthen the right of children and young people to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect their lives — both in everyday situations and during times of crisis — in line with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This report specifically examines the current state of student councils and democratic participation in primary and lower secondary schools across the Nordic region. It offers valuable insights into how young people’s voices are incorporated into school life and how these structures can be improved to ensure more inclusive and equitable participation.
Based on extensive data collection and collaboration among researchers from across the Nordic countries, the report provides a solid knowledge base for developing sustainable, inclusive participation structures in education. It also draws on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many youth participation mechanisms — including student councils — were overlooked or underutilised. The findings underscore the importance of integrating children and young people into decision-making processes, especially during societal disruptions.
Student councils are among the most important collective bodies for co-determination and influence in schools. The report explores how these councils can be strengthened as arenas for meaningful participation and how they can contribute to a positive and inclusive school environment for all students. The authors challenge the outdated notion that student councils merely serve as training grounds for representative democracy. Instead, they emphasise offering a diverse group of students, participation in both minor and major matters — giving them real opportunities to shape schoolwork and develop a sense of responsibility, belonging, and citizenship — beginning in the school community and extending into wider society.
Importantly, the report highlights the need for adults to recognise and support the contributions of all children and young people, particularly those whose voices are often overlooked. Rather than assigning symbolic roles — such as ‘leader of the school dance’ — which may unintentionally undermine the purpose of student democracy, schools should empower students to take real ownership of their participation. This is essential for building democratic skills, promoting equality, and fostering inclusion, especially among young people in vulnerable situations.
The report reflects the Nordic Council of Ministers’ commitment to integrating a children’s rights and youth perspective into all areas of policy, including education. This aligns with the goals of the Council’s Action Plan for 2021–2024 and contributes to the broader vision of achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By highlighting promising practices and identifying knowledge and implementation gaps, the report provides a roadmap for strengthening student participation across the Nordic region.
We extend our sincere thanks to the authors of the report , Dr Ragný Þóra Guðjohnsen and Dr Eva Harðardóttir of the University of Iceland, for their dedication and meticulous work. We also thank all the researchers, experts, and young people who contributed their experiences and perspectives to this report. Their contributions have been invaluable in shaping the findings and recommendations presented here.
We hope the report will inspire decision-makers, school leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders to empower children and young people to participate — and help make the Nordic region the best place in the world to grow up.
Eva Franzén
Merethe Løberg