Why consult with children?
We consult with children to:
- Raise
awareness, educate
- Involve
as participants - responsible citizens
- Develop
skills in problem-solving, lateral thinking
- Gain
children's perspectives
- Acknowledge
that children are our greatest asset
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Methods and Strategies
- No
one 'correct' formula
- Adapt
method to suit situation problem; age group
- Don't
always wait for an issue
- Brainstorming;
mental mapping; surveys; planning walks
- Focus
groups; photographs; data entry
- Display;
publicise; public relations
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The 'Planner' Brief
In
interpreting the rules, laws etc. and in applying them to specific
projects, Administrative planners could ask the following questions
of their team, residents and children:
-
What effect will this project have upon the environment - physical?
social?
-
What will the impact be upon children?
-
What might a child's perspective be?
-
Are there other groups who should be consulted?
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Need some help with consulting with Children?
Our
Toolkit will be online on the 6th October 2003. Watch this space.
Useful links on Children and Participation
Swedish Government Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (2001) Children as participants
social.regeringen.se/pressinfo/pdf/barn/children_as_participants_2001.pdf
NSW Commission for Children & Young People
www.kids.nsw.gov.au
Information about what the Commission’s doing and how children and young people can get involved in its work. Check out the events page for upcoming participation events, and the publications pages for the latest versions of participation material.
www.kids.nsw.gov.au/ourwork/participation.html
Resources to encourage adults to involve children and young people in decision-making that affects their lives. It's called TAKING PARTicipation seriously and is made up of separate booklets called Sharing the Stage and Conferences and Events.
Community Builders
www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au
This site helps NSW communities share ideas on how to build participation and local action. Contains examples of youth involvement. (Search for ‘children or youth’).
Youth Link
www.youthlink.org
An international collaboration of youth and youth-serving organisations to share information, resources and solutions. You can view by country and see a basic calendar of key international youth-related events.
How do Councils engage with children and young people?
www.lgnz.co.nz/news/pr1032219660.html
Local Government New Zealand will be working with the Ministries of Social Development and Youth Affairs and the Department of Internal Affairs in conducting a survey to find out how councils engage with children and young people.
GlobalNet
www.globalnet.org.nz
Links individuals, schools and community groups within New Zealand to discuss issues such as education, leisure and recreation, health, world peace and the environment. Assists children to share ideas resulting in identification of local solutions to global problems. Aims to empower children to speak with confidence and be heard by decision makers in their local and global communities.
See also useful links on the Kids Toolbox at www.ccc.govt.nz/toolbox
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