The development of children's rights from its inception : an assessment of opportunities and improvement

Abstract

The intention of this dissertation is to look at the development of child participation in today's society. The dissertation is based on studying the meaning of Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which clearly states that children have the right to participate in the decisions that affect them. The literature analysed in the dissertation describes what Article 12 -that of child participation in the various sectors of society- entails and what its benefits are. It illustrates children's participation in research, from the viewpoint of researchers who have carried out research work with children. This dissertation shows that children must be regarded, not as weak inactive citizens, but as collective and society performer who have the duty to choose to participate in research. Such a scene would amount to more vigilant interest to communicate efficiently with children with reference to research, and guaranteeing that they might have a more essential position in decision-making. However, a good insight on the subject and principles of child participation made both by state parties and adults themselves can lead to a greater way of thinking.