Children’s participation transforms realities! From the local to the global: a network for children and young people to be heard
Dialogue Works 2.0., the Global Network on Child Participation (DW2-GNCP, 2025 – 2029) is a joint project led by Terre des Hommes Germany (TDH) and Kindernothilfe (KNH) , dedicated to contributing to improving the living conditions of children in vulnerable situations by strengthening meaningful and sustainable structures for child participation in Zambia, India and Peru, as well as in the three regions (Southeast Africa, South Asia and South America). Building on the previous projects “It’s Time to Talk“ (2016-2019) and „Dialogue Works“ (2020-2024), the GNCP aims to increase opportunities for children to express their views and to participate in dialogues with adults who have responsibilities to improve the lives of children (e.g. government officials, community leaders, teachers, parents/caregivers etc.). Additionally, on the global level, a virtual Community of Practice (CoP) for mutual learning and exchange on child participation will be established. Main Objective The DW2-GNCP aims to realize the right of children in vulnerable situations to be heard and to participate in matters that affect their lives by ensuring that decision-makers in Southeast Africa, South Asia and South America incorporate children’s right to be heard into policy-making processes – the project outlines activities for the strategic establishment of sustainable mechanisms for child participation. These activities are designed to create a structured approach to collaboration between Children’s Advisory Committees (CACs), civil society organisations (CSOs) and decision-makers in order to promote long-term engagement and institutional change. Although contexts differ between the three project regions, they present similar structural challenges that significantly influence children’s participation. In South America, poverty, ethnic discrimination and geographical isolation pose significant obstacles to access to education and justice, especially for indigenous children in remote areas. In Southeast Africa, children face poverty, early marriages, violence and lack of infrastructure, especially in rural areas. In South Asia, rigid gender norms, economic inequality and fragmented …
