An Analysis of Children's Right to Participation: Youth Perspectives on the Submission of Proposals in Children and Youth Councils in Taiwan
兒少「表意參與權」之分析：台灣少代在兒促會提案之觀點
Journal
Taiwan Human Rights Journal
Journal Volume
6
Journal Issue
4
Pages
67 - 96
Date Issued
2022-12-01
Author(s)
Abstract
To implement Article 12 on the 'right to participation' of the UNCRC, the Taiwanese government set up a system of youth representatives. In order to analyze how well the government has implemented such representation, this study used the Lundy Model of Child Participation to evaluate the submission of proposals by youth representatives in local children and youth council. We analyzed the perspectives of 11 youth representatives in submitting proposals and looked into legal regulations and minutes of meetings. It was found that the space for youth participation is constrained by multiple structural factors. Furthermore, the complexity of the forms to be completed, the research supporting the proposals and the official tone of the language required all pose obstacles to participation, such that the current system remains at the formal level and allows for no realistic or meaningful participation. The fundamental problem is one of inequality in the structure of power. Hence, the spirit of youth participation should be reinforced and a friendly environment that accepts multiple forms of expression should be constructed. The study suggests (1) strengthening adults' training in the nature of the 'right to participation', (2) allowing friendly and multiple forms of expression for young people, and (3) guaranteeing a supportive system by which the space for youth participation may be opened up.
Subjects
UNCRC
Right to Participation
Lundy Model of Child Participation
Youth Representative
Publisher
東吳大學張佛泉人權研究中心
Type
journal article