How can participation protect children?

The CRC recognises the special needs of children and their need for protection. One way to protect the rights of children is to empower them to participate in all  levels of decision making.

Children who know how to raise their voices and have people listening to them are more likely to protect themselves from exploitation. If they are aware of their rights and their power to change they are less likely be victimised.

Across the continent, children are learning how to do this. Some find out when they attend school for the first time in sponsorship areas, or take a non-formal class in child rights and protection at a drop-in center for street children.

Others join World Vision children's clubs and youth groups, where they learn not just their rights but leadership and training skills, so that they feel comfortable sharing their new knowledge with others.

Youth groups are nothing new. Bringing young people together is a great way to increase their confidence and teach them life skills.

But for many children and teenagers in the Asia Pacific region, joining a group is a new and exciting experience. In some of the region's most disadvantaged communities, they're learning for the first time about child rights, empowerment, health and child protection.

It may look like just another fun activity for children, but it's so much more. Children's clubs can actually reduce the incidence of trafficking and forced labour.

Through the clubs, young people have access to accurate HIV and AIDS and sexual health information, and girls learn about their right to education and equality. Club activities improve children's knowledge of their own cultures, traditions and behaviours.

Just as importantly, the clubs encourage young people to have their say on issues in their community and how to solve them. Many become peer educators, passing on their knowledge to schools, family and neighbourhoods.

Through these clubs, children are finally having a say in creating a fairer world, for themselves and future generations.

What do they say?

When children tell adults what to do to change their lives, the issues they raise remain very similar. Children ask for:

• Protection from war and displacement, and the right to live in peace
• Access to education no matter what their circumstances
• An end to domestic violence, sexual violence and exploitative labour
• The time to play and have fun with other children
• Recognition and respect from their community; to have their voices heard