New guidelines help children shape own future

The Minister for Children has launched a new set of guidelines designed to encourage state and voluntary bodies to include children in policy making and project planning.

“Young Voices” aims to allow young people to have a voice on the issues that affect them.

It is hoped their involvement would give the young a greater sense of civic responsibility and an interest in local politics – which in turn means they would be more likely to vote in elections.

Frances Spillan, the Director of the National Children’s Office, said there has been a lot of progress in this area in recent years, but that these new guidelines as a “toolkit” for adults.

Minister Brian Lenihan said it is important for children to be able to participate in shaping their own future.

He said the planning of playgrounds and local amenities was one area where their involvement could make a huge difference.

“In recent years under the National Play Policy we have been allocating a lot of money to local authorities to build playgrounds, and I think if they listen to what children want, they design and build much better playgrounds than if they are left to their own devices,” Minister Lenihan said.