I grew up in the era of children being seen and not heard. A time when parenting styles were authoritarian, children's citizenship was not well understood, and it was rare for children to be heard in any formal decision-making process.
These days there is slightly more understanding of the value of listening to children's views on matters affecting them and a growing understanding that children are citizens with rights.
But that's not to say that children are being listened to, that their rights are upheld and their interests well represented at every level of society; far from it. As most people know, New Zealand needs to do much more to ensure that children are healthy, educated, participating, and protected. Twenty-five per cent of our children live in poverty, which creates chronic illness and reduces educational success, so it's clear that children's rights and interests remain on the margins of political consideration.
The general election is coming up so it's vital that young people's voices are brought to debate about the priority issues facing the nation. At Unicef NZ, we will work to create opportunities for decision-makers and the public to hear what our young citizens have to say. Tomorrow, we open applications for our Youth Congress, an opportunity for young people to discover opportunities for participation and how to shape their world.
In debates about these complex social and economic problems, young people's voices are often poignant and powerful. They cut through ideology to expose the practical reality of life for Kiwi kids. During the heated debate about whether parents should have a legal defence for hitting a child, children talked about their experiences of being hit around the head with heavy implements. That was an important perspective, although difficult for adults to hear.
