What matters to kids? National Children’s Commissioner and international experts to visit Lismore

Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell is visiting the NSW North Coast region tomorrow (April 9) to discuss the views and concerns of Australia’s children and young people.

Around 100 participants will be attending the one-day symposium, entitled ‘Involving children and young people in improving policy, programs and services’, being hosted by Southern Cross University's Centre for Children and Young People in Lismore.

Ms Mitchell will report on her recent consultation with children and young people, called the ‘Big Banter’, which involved travelling around the country during her first year as Commissioner, speaking to hundreds of young people about their experiences and concerns.

“I wanted to ask children and young people directly about what is important in their lives so I can take what they told me into consideration in my role as National Children’s Commissioner,” Ms Mitchell said.

“I learned a great deal that I wouldn’t know if I’d not asked them. I also wanted their ideas on how I might continue to hear from children and young people during my time as Commissioner.”

Joining Ms Mitchell are leading child participation experts from the United Kingdom, Professor Tess Ridge from the University of Bath and Professor Nigel Thomas from the University of Central Lancashire.

Professor Ridge’s talk, ‘Why listen to children? The value of child-centred research with low-income children for well-informed policy and practice’ will share longitudinal research on children’s experiences of poverty and exclusion.

Professor Thomas will be leading a session called ‘The Challenge of Making it Real’ which will see a panel of young people talk about their experience of participation in different contexts.

“We are very excited to be bringing such distinguished speakers to the region," said Professor Anne Graham, Director of the Centre for Children and Young People.

“We so often assume that adults know what’s best for children and young people. Yet there is now considerable evidence suggesting we will likely meet their needs much more effectively if we include them in discussions and decisions about their lives. This is particularly relevant when it comes to the policies, programs and services aimed at supporting them.”

Professor Graham said it was especially important to ensure the views of young people who may be marginalised by issues like poverty, disability, exclusion from school or difficult family lives were also heard.

“This symposium is a great opportunity to bring together a wide range of people who are working with children to share what we know, and potentially improve what we do, when we find ways to include young people in authentic, respectful ways.”

A wide range of service providers and practitioners from the region will be attending the event. The symposium has been made possible through a Collaborative Research Network partnership with the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of NSW and coincides with the Centre for Children and Young People (CCYP)’s 10th anniversary as a research centre at Southern Cross University.

“I can’t think of a better way to mark the 10th anniversary of the CCYP than hosting this symposium here in Lismore since children’s participation has been a centrepiece of our research for many years,” said Professor Graham.

“As a regional University we have made a significant contribution nationally and internationally to understanding why and how to involve children and young people in efforts to improve their lives.”

Photo: Megan Mitchell, National Children’s Commissioner (Credit: Matthew Syres).