Building a Sustainable Society Through Child Participation: Nordic Research and Practical Application: 31

With the idea that citizens of future societies are best placed to envisage their ideal future, and that societies must receive children's trust and participation, the volume looks at existing social, legal, and economic norms, and discusses the various challenges at the institutional and societal levels in involving children. This open access volume analyses the conditions needed for greater participation of children in social change and development, focusing on Nordic countries. With the idea that citizens of future societies are best placed to envisage their ideal future, and that societies must receive children's trust and participation, the volume looks at existing social, legal, and economic norms, and discusses the various challenges at the institutional and societal levels in involving children. The contributions consider the perspective of children and of other actors in the process. The editors and authors begin with the premise that the lack of a functioning collaboration between children as actors and institutional actors who are supposed to work with/for children can lead to serious consequences, such as a lack of trust in society's representatives and in the legitimacy of legislation. The volume draws empirical evidence and discussion points from cases of children’s participation in family litigation, school regulations and related areas in various Nordic countries. It therefore shows the path to the rest of the world towards a more equitable and just future involving children’s active participation in their and society’s future.