The right to say: the development of youth councils/forums within the UK

Abstract

Summary Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child makes explicit reference to children's right to say what they think about matters relating to the quality of their lives, and to have those opinions taken into account in accordance with their levels of competence and maturity. Despite the commitment of the UK Government to this and other similar initiatives designed to empower young people, a culture of non‐participation is endemic within the UK in the context of environmental planning. Young people are seemingly invisible on the landscape. This paper reviews the case for children's active involvement in their environmental future and considers attempts to engage young people through an incipient structure of youth councils and forums.