ABSTRACT
Democracy and human rights are inextricable. The fulfillment of rights requires a whole society approach and that includes encouraging civic engagement with children. This chapter promotes the rights of children and young people to lead the way in the future of play, as a means of navigating childhood in an ever-changing world. The early seeds of representation for the good of others are sown through the example of the School Council. This is followed by discussion of the Unfearties Movement by a project worker at Children’s Parliament in Scotland. The importance of adult advocacy for children’s rights through policy reminds us that it is necessary to ‘gain the ear’ of policy-makers if children’s right to play is to be fulfilled. This chapter concludes with a reflection on the role of play as we journey through and transition from childhood into early adulthood and beyond.
