We believe that governments, professionals, and the wider community all have a role to play in building an environment that respects, values and validates the contributions of young people. Our work is underpinned by the principle of free participation: the right to participate as equal citizens at all levels of society without fear or favour and a process that facilitates the participation of all young people on their own terms and according to their own realities, a principle that, if realised, facilitates informed choice, freedom, dignity, respect and demonstrates an acceptance that young people have the same human rights entitlements as adults: that age or ability is no exception, that there is no glass ceiling that deflects those who have not come up through the ranks of established participatory structures or those who do not ‘fit’ the cultural norms of mainstream society: that there are no conditions attached. We work to achieve this by supporting some of the most marginalised young people, such as young Gypsy/Travellers, care experienced young people and young people experiencing mental ill-health to:
Undertake research to identify needs and concerns relating to their participation rights and have those needs and concerns given due weight and attention by key decision makers at local, national and international level
Organise, or assist others to organise, rights based events, conferences, workshops, training courses.
