In frames of the CLAP project, during the previous months, AHEAD conducted research on the awareness of Children from different municipalities on their Participation Rights.
The research was mainly conducted in groups of secondary education institutes in the cities of Barcelona, Sabadell and Lleida.
In parallel to the research conducted with children, the same set of questions were addressed to the educators, both from the formal and no-formal education fields.
The results obtained in the survey show a striking, and led to some reflections in terms of focusing the project in the sense of raising awareness and education on Children Rights and Active Participation.
The Summary of the report can be downloaded here:
CLAP Survey on the Children's Participation Rights
The Conclusions of the Research in Catalonia
Children and young individuals often exhibit a limited understanding of their rights to engage and express their perspectives in everyday matters.
Particularly striking is their unfamiliarity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a universal legally binding treaty that safeguards their entitlements, notably emphasizing the right to participation (Article 12).
Educators have acknowledged advancements in this area over recent decades.
However, there is a greater comprehension among educators about the
available channels within the educational system for self-expression compared to the awareness identified by children and youth.
Despite these improvements, children and youth still perceive a need for increased attention and enhanced communication tools to significantly elevate their involvement. They have expressed their belief in their ability to make decisions independently, as have their tutors.
When it comes to participation in the city council, the engagement levels are notably low. Not only are the communication channels unrecognized by half of the students, but more than half do not feel that their ideas are being heard.
The survey conducted lacks comprehensive representation at the Catalan
level. Nonetheless, certain trends observed may offer insights applicable across the entire region. Consequently, we advocate for schools, high schools, governmental bodies, and representatives to prioritize enhancing the participation rights of children and young individuals by equipping them with the necessary resources. We firmly believe that incorporating their perspectives is vital for fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.
