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Children are entitled to participate

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to protection, sufficient resources and participation. Children have the right to be small, protected and secure, but also to be active and have their opinions taken into account.

Participation involves the right of the children to freely express their views, the responsibility of adults to take the children's perspectives into account, according to their age and maturity, and the right of children to be heard in administrative and legal matters affecting them. Children are also entitled to be heard and to take part in decision-making in the home.

The point or departure of the UN Convention is the priority given to children's interests in decision-making. This requires that the impact of decisions on children is predicted and assessed better than in the past. In addition, the impact on children requires the elucidation of the opinions of children and youth as the basis for decision-making.


Constitution supports children's participation

The right of children to participate is contained in Finnish legislation. This legislation supports children's participation and influence in municipalities and at school.

In addition, according to the Finnish Constitution children must be treated equally as individuals and be allowed to influence matters that concern them, according to their maturity.

The Constitution does not limit participation to a certain age for children. It obliges decision-makers and professionals working in services dealing with children to be acquainted with child development and to apply means of participation accordingly. In order for children to participate and exert an influence, there is a need for improved information on children's own ways of thinking and acting.