Children’s participation in decisions affecting them is a fundamental human right. This article proposes an ethical framework for meaningful, authentic children’s participation consistent with children’s rights, one developed within the context of international and continental human rights treaties, global commitments and declarations on children’s rights and legal provisions within South African legislation.
African Child Policy Forum (2011) Interview with Dr Benyam Dawit Mezmur, Second Vice Chairperson, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, The African Child Information Hub, Addis Ababa.
2.
African Union (1990) African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Addis Ababa: African Union.
3.
BabbieE. (2009) The Basics of Social Research, 7th edn.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
4.
BadhamB. (1999) ‘What is New in JO5. Children and Young People’s Participation in Their Neighbourhoods and Communities: Programme Strategy’, Children and Young People’s Participation in Their Neighbourhoods and Communities, The Children’s Society’s Annual Conference, Swanwick, UK, 16–17 November.
5.
BlackM. (2004) Opening Minds, Opening Opportunities: Children’s Participation in Action for Working Children. London: International Save the Children Alliance.
6.
ByrneI. (1998) The Human Rights of Street and Working Children: A Practical Manual for Advocates. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
7.
CashmoreJ. (2002) ‘Promoting the Participation of Children and Young People in Care’, Child Abuse and Neglect26: 837–47.
8.
ChambersR. (1998) ‘Foreword’, in JohnsonV.Ivan-SmithE.GordonG.PridmoreP.ScottP. (eds) Stepping Forward: Children and Young People’s Participation in the Development Process. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
9.
Committee on the Rights of the Child (2007) General Comment on Article 12. Geneva: United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
CurrieI.De WaalJ. (2005) The Bill of Rights Handbook, 5th edn.Claremont, South Africa: Juta.
12.
De VosA.S. (2011) ‘Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation’, in De VosA.S. (ed.), H. Strydom, C.B. Fouché and C.S.L. Delport, Research at Grassroots for Social Sciences and Human Service Professions, 4th edn.Pretoria: Van Schaik.
13.
ÈnnewJ. (1998) ‘Preface’, in JohnsonV.Ivan-SmithE.GordonG.PridmoreP.ScottP. (eds) Stepping Forward: Children and Young People’s Participation in the Development Process. London: Intermediate Technology Publications.
14.
FeinsteinC.KarkaraR.KarlsonL.TalbotT. (2005) ACT NOW! Some Highlights from Children’s Participation in the Regional Consultations for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children. Geneva: Save the Children Sweden.
15.
FouchéC.B.SchurinkW. (2011) ‘Qualitative Research Design’, in De VosA.S. (ed.), H. Strydom, C.B. Fouché and C.S.L. Delport, Research at Grassroots for Social Sciences and Human Service Professions, 4th edn.Pretoria: Van Schaik.
16.
GreeffM. (2011) ‘Information Collection: Interviewing’, inDe VosA.S. (ed.), H. Strydom, C.B. Fouché and C.S.L. Delport, Research at Grassroots for Social Sciences and Human Service Professions, 4th edn.Pretoria: Van Schaik.
17.
HillM.DavisJ.ProutA.TisdalK. (2004) ‘Moving the Participation Agenda Forward’, Children and Society18(2): 77–96.
18.
HodgkinR.NewellP. (2007) Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 3rd edn.New York: UNICEF.
19.
LansdownG. (1995) Taking Part: Children’s Participation in Decision Making. London: Institute for Public Policy Research.
20.
LansdownG. (2001) Promoting Children’s Participation in Democratic Decision-making. Florence: UNICEF.
MartinF. (2000) The Politics of Children’s Rights. Cork: Cork University Press.
23.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011) Available online at: http://www.merriam-webster.com (accessed 27 January 2011).
24.
MosesS. (2006) ‘An Overview of Children’s Participation in South Africa’, unpublished paper presented at the Theorising Children’s Participation Seminar at the University of Edinburgh, 4–6 September.
25.
NeumanW.L. (2009) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 5th edn.Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
26.
Organization for African Unity (OAU) (1981) African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Addis Ababa: African Union.
27.
RamsdenN.Prest-TalbotJ. (2007) ‘Practical Ethical Guidelines on Children’s Participation’, unpublished manual, Children’s Rights Centre, Durban.
28.
Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1996a) The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria: Government Printer.
29.
Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1996b) ‘South African Schools Act 84 of 1996’, Government GazetteX(1867), 15November1996, Government Printer, Pretoria.
30.
Republic of South Africa (RSA) (2003) ‘National Health Act 61 of 2003’, Government Gazette469(26595), 23July2004, Government Printer, Pretoria.
31.
Republic of South Africa (RSA) (2005) ‘Children’s Act 38 of 2005’, Government Gazette492(28944), 19June2006, Government Printer, Pretoria.
32.
Save the Children (2003a) So You Want to Consult with Children? A Toolkit of Good Practice. London: International Save the Children Alliance.
33.
Save the Children (2003b) Promoting Children’s Ethical and Meaningful Participation in the UN Global Study on Violence against Children. London: International Save the Children Alliance.
34.
Save the Children (2004) Twelve Lessons Learned from Children’s Participation in the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children. London: International Save the Children Alliance.
35.
StrydomH. (2011) ‘Ethical Aspects of Research in the Social Sciences and Human Service Professions’, in De VosA.S. (ed.), H. Strydom, C.B. Fouché and C.S.L. Delport, Research at Grassroots for Social Sciences and Human Service Professions, 4th edn.Pretoria: Van Schaik.
ThomasM.PiersonJ. (1995) Dictionary of Social Work. London: Collins Educational.
38.
United Nations (1948) Universal Declaration of Human Rights. New York: UN Department of Public Information.
39.
United Nations (1966) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. New York: UN Department of Public Information.
40.
United Nations (1989) United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. New York: UN Department of Public Information.
41.
United Nations (2000) United Nations Millennium Declaration. New York: UN Department of Public Information.
42.
ViviersA. (2010) ‘The Ethics of Child Participation’, unpublished Masters dissertation, University of Pretoria.
43.
ViviersA.BlankenbergC. (2008) ‘UNICEF South Africa: Guidance Note on Child Participation’, unpublished internal policy for UNICEF South Africa, Pretoria.
