ABSTRACT
Throughout the examples, the underlying principle that participation is a human rights issue is evident, and as such supports the strong links between equality, the rights of children and young people and participation as a means of fulfilling those rights. More specifically, in South Africa the issue is the struggle for equal access to support, services and protection; in the post-conflict examples it is about equal access to education, reliable information, an end to social stigma and the ‘freedom’ to be a child; in Plan UK’s work it is about equality of access for all children, regardless of disability, poverty, social stigma etc. The underlying theme of the child/young person as an equal citizen is of paramount importance as the foundation for participatory practice.
