The involvement of children and young people in the work of the college

Abstract

Children and young people’s right to participation is laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Paediatricians have a duty to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children. The UNCRC is based on the premise that children and young people have the same inherent worth as adults, should be afforded respect and are entitled to preservation of their dignity, whilst recognising the particular difficulties that children and young people face in influencing decision-making. The UNCRC establishes participation as a right for all children and young people and is not limited by age, social status, disability or other characteristic of the child or young person and that participation is voluntary and applies to all matters concerning the child or young person.