EXPLORING MEANINGFUL CHILD PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE: INSIGHTS FROM BARANGAY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69745/ijsspp.v2i2.86Keywords:
Child participation, Governance, Local Government Units (LGUs)Abstract
This study examines how the selected barangay local government units (BLGUs) in the Southern Philippines are implementing meaningful child participation in governance. It focuses on three key aspects: informing children of their rights, actively hearing their perspectives, and involving them in decision-making. The study found a diverse group of respondents, with a majority from Gen Z and Millennials. Many are college graduates and actively involved in organizations, showcasing their potential as future leaders. A significant effort is put into ensuring children are well-informed about their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This highlights a commitment to both inclusivity and upholding children's rights. The research also found a positive perception towards "hearing" children's voices. This suggests a cultural shift towards participatory governance, where children's perspectives are valued in decision-making. This empowers them, communicates the importance of their opinions, and leads to policies that better reflect their needs. The study concludes that meaningful child participation is not only achievable but essential for sustainable development and good governance. It's an investment in the future, fostering a generation of informed, engaged, and responsible citizens. These findings offer valuable insights for local governments in Southern Philippines and contribute to the global discussion on empowering children as active contributors to society. Secure spaces for participation and formal structures within schools, communities, or local government, like the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), can further empower children to effectively engage in governance.
References
Acts, R. (2011). Republic Act no. 7610: philippine laws, statutes, and codes: ch ... republic act no. 7610: philippine laws, statutes, and codes: ch ... page 2 of 6. 7610, 1–6.
Alias, A., Mohamad Nasri, N., & Awang, M. M. (2023). A Tracer Study on Child Participation in Child Councillor Programmes Aimed towards Development of the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative. Children, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040732
Balanon, F., Ong, M., & Torre, B. (2007). The Impact of Youth Participation in the Local Government Process (Issue January). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282866168
Bessell, S. (2009). Children’s participation in decision-making in the Philippines: Understanding the attitudes of policy-makers and service providers. Childhood, 16(3), 299–316. https://doi.org/10.1177/0907568209335305
Blanken, M., Mathijssen, J., van Nieuwenhuizen, C., Raab, J., & van Oers, H. (2023). Actors’ awareness of network governance in Child Welfare and Healthcare service networks. Health Policy, 127(February 2022), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.12.003
Backgrounder, S. S. R. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goal 16 - United Nations University. https://unu.edu/explore/sustainable-development-goal- 16
Bozzola, E.; Spina, G.; Agostiniani, R.; Barni, S.; Russo, R.; Scarpato, E.; Di Mauro, A.; Di Stefano, A.V.; Caruso, C.; Corsello, G.; et al. The Use of Social Media in Children and Adolescents: Scoping Review on the Potential Risks. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 9960. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph19169960
Chan., R., (2016). Understanding The Purpose of Higher Education: An Analysis of The Economic and Social Benefits of Completing A College Degree. Retrieved December 20, 2023 from www.Jeppa.Org.
Child, R., & Childhood, E. (n.d.). UNICEF-Child-Rights- Education-Toolkit.
Comeau, K. (2005). Involving Children in Decision Making. … Developing Children’s Participation. Surrey Children’s …, March, 1–13. http://www.surreyca.org.uk/pdfs/cf_participation_model .pdf
Committee, U. N. (2022). Effective, representative, and inclusive child participation at the local level. A study on child and youth councils in UNICEF National Committee countries.
Doek, J. (2020). Child Participation. The Oxford Handbook ofChildren’sRightsLaw,256–278. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190097608.013.4
Đurišić, M., & Bunijevac, M. (2017). Parental Involvement as an Important Factor for Successful Education. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 7(3), 137–153. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.291
Department of Children and Youth Affairs. (2014). Promoting the participation of seldom-heard young people: A review of the literature on best practice principles. Research Development Initiative: Research Briefing Note, 6, 2–7.
Fitzmaurice, L. (2017). Children’s voices in system reform - A case study on children and young people’s participation within the modernization of Child, Youth and Family. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 29(1), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol29iss1id190
Firinci Orman, T. (2022). A society-centric approach to child rights governance in the EU context: how to strengthen the political presence and participation of children? Children’s Geographies, 20(5), 633–647.
Gerison Lansdown. (2011). Every Child’s Right to be Heard. Save the Children, 12, 180. http://www.unicef.org/files/Every_Childs_Right_to_be_ Heard.pdf
Gottschalk, F., & Borhan, H. (2023). Directorate for Education and Skills OECD Education Working Paper No 301: Child participation in decision making Implications for education and beyond. http://www.oecd.org/termsandconditions.
Handbook, I., The, F. O. R., & On, C. (n.d.). for the convention on the rights of the child f u l ly r e v i s e d t h i r d e d i t i o n w i t h c d - r o m implementation handbook for the convention on the rights of.
Hagger, L. (2020). Children in Research. In The Child As Vulnerable Patient. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315614588-14
Joyce O. Cadano, M. (2023). The reasons for inactive youth engagement in the community: a case study in Barangay District III, Babatngon, Leyte. International Journal of Research Publications, 123(1). https://doi.org/10.47119/ijrp1001231420234683
Johnson, V., & West, A. (2018). Children’s Participation in Global Contexts. In Children’s Participation in Global Contexts. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315680941
Kellett, M. (2017). Children and young people’s worlds. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1t896bs
Lansdown, G. (2011). Promoting children’s participation in democratic decision-making. In Innocenti Insight (Vol. 20,Issue2).https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/MTDS G/VolumeI/ChapterIV/iv11.en.pdf%5Cnhttp://econtent. hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/16142241/a000021%5Cnh ttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2s2.08005 3512320&partnerID=tZOtx3y1%5Cnhttp://web.worlban k.org/arch
Lundy, L. (2018). In defence of tokenism? Implementing children’s right to participate in collective decision- making. Childhood, 25(3), 340–354.
Montà, C. C., Carriera, L., & Biff, E. (2020). The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: a milestone for a pedagogical reflection on the meanings of childhood and democracy. Educacao e Pesquisa, 46, 1– 17. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-4634202046239004
Mwiinga, P. (2023). Investigating Youth Involvement in Local Governance (Issue August). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36151.09128
Middel, F., Post, W., López, M. L., & Grietens, H. (2021). Rights reserved . Content courtesy of Springer Nature , term. Child Indicators Research, 14, 713–735.
Massons-Ribas, A., Domínguez, A., Vaquero, E., Arnau, M., Majó, E., & Tió, E. V. (2021). A multidisciplinary approach to participation in child protection system: A systematic review XVI International EuSARF Conference A multidisciplinary approach to participation in child protection system: A systematic review. November 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365521863
Office of Educational Technology (2017). Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education: 2017 National Education Technology Plan Update. Retrieved December 21, 2023, from http://tech.ed.gov/.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2023). OECD Education Working Paper No 301: Child participation in decision making. Retrieved December 20.
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2018). The future of education and skills Education 2030.
Retrieved December 20, 2023, from http://oe.cd/opengov.
.