From the mouths of babes, young people having a say in policymaking

Long gone are the days when children were expected to be seen but not heard. But a decade after giving them a voice, have we been listening?

The New South Wales Commissioner for Children and Young People Megan Mitchell will reflect on how well and in what ways the views of children are being considered and the impact this is having on policymaking during a visit to Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus.

The Commissioner is a guest of the University’s Centre for Children and Young People and will be speaking at a twilight seminar entitled ‘Children’s Participation: So What?’ at Lismore on Thursday June 16. The seminar will be videolinked to the Coffs Harbour campus and SCU Tweed Riverside (Brett Street, Tweed Heads).

Ms Mitchell said the Commission had always played a key role in encouraging children's participation in New South Wales.

“Like adults, children are diverse and don't always speak with one 'voice' or share the same views about issues that affect their lives,” said the Commissioner.

"Involving children’s perspectives in your work promotes a better understanding of their lives but also helps your work to be more relevant for the children and young people you are providing services to," she said.

The director of the Centre for Children and Young People Professor Anne Graham said the Commissioner’s visit was significant for the North Coast community.

“This seminar will focus our attention on the important issue of whether and how we value and incorporate the views of children and young people when it comes to developing policies, programs and services aimed at improving their lives,” Professor Graham said.

Ms Mitchell’s presentation will explore the implications for children, legislators and policymakers when the views of children are not properly considered. In a context of ‘fast-tracked’ policy development the assessment of the success of children’s participation becomes increasingly important. This seminar will explore how we might evaluate the benefits of this approach for both the children concerned and the policy developed.

A highlight of the evening will be a panel of young people, including members of the Centre's 'Young People Big Voice' advisory group, and Zeah Behrend, a former Kyogle resident now working with the Commission for Children & Young People.

Professor Graham said Zeah was a wonderful example of where participation can lead.

“Whilst a teenager at school here on the North Coast Zeah was involved in the Commission's Young People's reference group advising on the Commission's work,” said Professor Graham.

“A decade later she's involved in exciting research that is influencing a range of policy interests concerning children and young people.”
Photo: The New South Wales Commissioner for Children and Young People Megan Mitchell (centre, dark suit) with members of the Commission's 2010 Young People's Reference Group. Media opportunity: The ‘Children’s Participation: So What?’ twilight seminar will be held at the Southern Cross University Lismore campus, P Block, Room P158 on Thursday, June 16, from 4.00pm – 5.30pm. The seminar will be videolinked to the University’s Coffs Harbour campus (Room A120)and SCU Tweed Riverside (Room L3, Brett Street, Tweed Heads). This is a FREE event.