UNICEF Innocenti has published “Beyond Being Heard: The right of children and youth to participate in civil and political processes in a changing world” (August 2025). The paper explores common struggles in child participation, such as the power paradox, the costs of speaking up, and the challenges of digital engagement. It also highlights pathways to change, innovative practices, and young people’s own visions for the future.
As a contributor to the Asia regional consultation, Dr Harla Sarra Octarra shared experiences from Indonesia and highlighted case studies from Mobile Arts for Peace (MAP), showing how arts-based methods can strengthen youth participation. One of the strategies for safe and meaningful participation mentioned in the report is for children and young people to “consider using creative forms of expression like art and digital media to amplify (their) message”; it asks all of us to allow them the safe space for doing so.
Original link: https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/11491/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-Discussion-Paper-Beyond-Being-Heard_2025.pdf