Participation: Are you really listening?

As many young people will tell you, decisions that directly affect us are often not made by us. We're used to adults telling us what's best for us and what we can and can't do. However, thanks to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, more and more children and young people are now being consulted on issues that affect them. Article 12 of the convention says: "You have the right to say what you think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect you, and to have your opinions taken into account."

Something like the convention is very important for children and young people, but there's really no point in having it unless our opinions are not only heard but also acted on. In Islington, a number of organisations and services have been working together with young people to develop The Islington Vision, which aims to enable young people to achieve their best and participate fully in the decision-making process.