Act now! Some highlights from children’s participation in the Regional Consultations for the United Nations Secretary-General’s study on Violence against Children

These are highlights from children’s participation in the Regional Consultations for the United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children. More that 260 children and young people participated in the nine regional consultations for the UN Study and expressed their views and was involved in decisions that can lead to concrete action. The Study and the national/regional consultations held around the world during 2005 provided a platform for effective and meaningful participation of girls and boys. Children and young people have a right to be partners and their experience and resources should be utilized. They participated in preparatory meetings prior to each of the regional consultations, thereby providing them with an opportunity to explore with peers the issues relating to violence and design the nature of their participation in the consultations that followed.