Children and young people's voices

Listening to children and young people is important. Recent developments in research, practice and policy, such as those from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989), call for greater levels of child and youth engagement and the opportunity for children and young people to have a voice.

"Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously."

(UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 12)

Not only do children and young people have a basic human right to express their views on matters which are important to them, but also that their views are taken on board by adults and used to improve children and young people’s lives. Research is one way that children and young people can share their ideas and views on matters which are important to them. Designing and carrying out research not only provides opportunities for children and young people to develop their own interests but also invites them to join a research community where they can learn a variety of academic skills. To date over 200 children and young people have carried out their own research projects with the Children’s Research Centre.