Step 1. Why child participation in DRR?

Let’s start your journey of involving children in disaster risk reduction by asking a fundamental question: Why is child participation important in your work? Addressing this issue might feel like something you have already done. But don’t skip this question! For your work to be long-lasting, you must get other people to understand the importance of child participation. This process starts with you refining your arguments for why you believe it is important. Sub-step 1.1 helps you articulate for yourself why this is important. 

Our advice: write down your answers in simple language! This will help you structure your thoughts. In fact, we recommend you write down your answers for the entire guide, but especially the first questions. 

Another aspect that is crucial to consider already now is the sustainability of child participation in DRR. All too often participation is considered as a one-time event when it should be a regular activity. One of the many reasons for having participation as an ongoing activity is that it will likely make your work easier. It is easier to manage routines than setting up new ones! 

Take your time to create this basis for your work on the next steps.

Sub-step 1.1: Consider why child participation is important in your DRR work

Guiding Questions:

  • Why is child participation important? 
  • Why is it something that your organisation should work with?
  • What is the best argument you know in favour of child participation?

Sub-step 1.2: Think about ways to make participation sustainable in your organisation

Guiding Questions:

  • What are your colleague’s attitudes about child participation? 
  • What concrete steps can you take to ensure that child participation is more prioritised in your organisation?
  • What forms of child participation would enable sustainability?
  • Why would children want to participate longer-term?
Examples:
Tools and resources that will help you address the questions:

1. Why Include Children?
CDP Online College
This resource collects several arguments outlining the importance of child participation in disaster risk reduction.

2. Child and Youth Participation During Crisis: Recommendations for Decision-Makers in the Nordic Region
Nordic Welfare Centre, p.16-20
This report shares additional arguments from young people about the importance of child participation in crises.

3. Benefits of Child Participation: An Overview for Organisations
Emerging Minds
This resource highlights the benefits of child participation from various perspectives, inlcuding organisational, soceital, and children.

4. Guidelines for Setting Up a Child Advisory Board
Commissioned by CBSS, Created by Eurochild
A step-by-step guide on how to establish a child advisory board.

5. Working with and for Youth: Practical Ideas to Foster Youth Engagement
OSCE
Report aimed at the inclusion of youth in work on peace and security..

6. Children’s Participation in Decision-Making: Why, When, and How
Save the Children
A comprehensive guide on the importance of child participation in decision-making, including the best practices and timing for it.

7. The Nine Basic Requirements for Meaningful and Ethical Children’s Participation
Save the Children
Nine basic requirements for ensuring meaningful and ethical participation of children.

8. Disaster Risk Reduction in School Curricula: Case Studies from Thirty Countries
UNESCO
This report provides case studies on integrating disaster risk reduction into school curricula across thirty countries.

9. Engaging Children in Decision Making – A Guide for Consulting Children, p. 5
Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
This report summarises several reasons for including children in bullet point form.