Participation is a human right, enshrined in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and includes for children the right to expression and to active involvement in decisionmaking
in matters that concern them. It requires information sharing and dialogue between children and adults, based on mutual respect and power sharing. Genuine participation gives
children the power to shape both the process and outcome. But fulfilling the right to participation poses numerous challenges, from social norms to economic barriers and lack of political
will to engage meaningfully with young people....