Ed Janes

Development OfficerParticipation Workers’ Network for Wales

Children’s Rights and Participation

Workshop aims•Interactive session mixing information and groupwork

•To cover the broad topic of children’s rights and participation

•To focus in on participation in your own setting

United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child

•Ensures that the universal rights of children and young people are upheld throughout the world.

•Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly n 1989

•UK signed up to in 1991

•Adopted in Wales in 2004

Article 12“Children have a right to say what they think should happen, when children are making decisions that affect them, and to have their

opinions taken into account”

Or…“Participation means that it is my right to be involved in making

decisions, planning and reviewing an action that might affect me. Having a voice, having a choice”

(Funky Dragon soundbite winner)

Participation in Wales2003: Participation Consortium developed

• Multiagency strategic body • Developing capacity and practice of participation in Wales

2004: Participation Unit developed• Working arm of Participation Consortium• Supports development of participation

2006: Participation Workers’ Network for Wales launched

PWNW

•Free web based network

•Supports workers to promote participation with children and young people

•Funded by the European Social Fund

PWNW Services•News and policy

• Strategic updates

•Member’s area• Opportunity for members to share good practice • Chance for members to publicise events• Funding for direct work

Contact DetailsEd Janes (Development Officer)

•Email: Ed.Janes@childreninwales.org.uk•Phone: 029 2034 2434

www.participationworkerswales.org.uk

The Participation Workers’ Network for Wales is funded by the European Social Fund as part of the Reach the Heights Initiative