The Lundy Model

Why is the Lundy Model relevant for involving children in disaster risk reduction?

What does child participation entail? Studies have demonstrated that meaningful participation has proven challenging to put into practice, and the concept of participation is ambiguous.

Whilst decision-makers at many levels are more and more open to ‘listen to children’ and to ‘hear their voices’, all too often these intentions and expressions do not capture the long-ranging nature and full range of the commitment as enshrined in article 12 CRC.

The Lundy model provides a conceptual framework for article 12 that makes the artcles demands clear. The Lundy model holds that in order for Article 12 to be successfully implemented, four distinct aspects must be taken into account: space, voice, audience, and influence.

The Lundy model can aid DRR stakeholders better understanding child participation to ensure meaningful engagement.

What is the Lundy Model?

Space:

A prerequisite for the meaningful engagement of children and young people in decision-making is creating an opportunity for involvement – a space in which they are encouraged to express their views. Such space must be inclusive. The views of a diverse range of children shall be sought and participation should not be afforded only to the articulate and literate. The following questions should be considered:

  • Have children’s views been sought as early as possible?
  • Is there a safe space in which children and youth can express themselves freely?
  • Have steps been taken to ensure that all children affected by decisions can take part? (Is the space inclusive?)

Voice:

Children and youth may need the help of others in order to form a view, and have a right to receive direction and guidance from adults in order to do so. Indeed, children’s right to express their view is not dependent upon their capacity to express a mature view, but only on their ability to form a view. The following items should be looked at:

  • Did children and youth receive the information they need in an appropriate format to enable them to form a view?
  • Have children and youth been given a range of options as to how they might choose to express their opinion?

Audience:

Children and young people should have a guaranteed opportunity to communicate their views and intention to (an) identifiable individual(s) or body with the responsibility to listen. Children should have their views listened to by those who make decisions. The following questions should be asked:

  • Who was the ‘audience’ for children and youth’s perspective on a given topic?
  • Was there a process for children and youth to communicate their views?
  • Did the individual/body have the power to make decisions and act upon such views?

Influence:

Adults who were there to listen to children and young people should not only listen to them, but also take their views seriously and effectively act upon these. Children and youth should be informed on how their views were taken into account during decision-making processes they were involved in. The following aspects should be looked at:

  • Were the children and youth’s views considered by those with power to effect change?
  • What process is in place to ensure that children and youth’s views inform decisions that affect them?
  • Have children and youth been informed about the ways in which their views will be considered and acted upon?
  • Have children and youth been provided with feedback explaining the reasons for decisions taken?