The Participation of all Children in the Standard-Setting and Monitoring Work of International Organizations

Abstract

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child declares that every child who is capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting them, whereas the views of the child should be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child. The standard-setting and monitoring procedures of international organi- zations are not exempted: a simple interpretation of Article 12 on the right to be heard explicitly demonstrates that this includes the international level as a setting where children should partici- pate in decision-making. This paper discusses that the right, the opportunity, the space, the means and the support to participate should be provided for all children in decision-making procedures of international organizations.