What is Participation?
What do we mean by Participation?
The literal definition of participation is ‘taking part’. It is well recognised that there is a spectrum of degrees of power in taking part, from giving opinions on a predetermined issue for adults to decide upon (consultation), to young people choosing their agenda and taking their own decisions (full participation). As with many powerful and popular concepts, ‘participation’ is used (and sometimes abused) to describe many different relationships and activities:
Participation is a process not an event and Empowerment is the outcome.
(Crowley, A. 2004)
In November 1989, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In December 1991, the UK signed up to ('ratified') the Convention. In line with this the Welsh Assembly Government has made a commitment to promote and support children and young people’s participation and to implement children and young people’s right to participate as stated in Article 12 through formally adopting the (UNCRC). The right to participation gives children and young people the ability to claim all the other rights as expressed in the UNCRC.
The Welsh Assembly Government held a competition to develop a sound-bite for the definition of participation. The following has been adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government:
Participation means that it is my right to be involved in making decisions, planning and reviewing an action that might affect me. Having a voice, having a choice.
Funky Dragon, the Children and Young People’s Assembly for Wales, have developed a very effective short animated film for young people on the story of children’s rights, the UNCRC and participation called Our Rights, Our Story. This can be accessed on their website www.funkydragon.org
The Participation Consortium is working across Wales to promote the participation of children and young people in decision making.
