Series Democracy inclusion, Episode 1: Children are often left out in discussions about shortcomings of participative democracy. An international panel in the Swiss city of Lucerne put the spotlight on the youngest members of society.

This article by Urs Geiser is published by swissinfo.ch. Here is an excerpt:

“We would take better political decisions if children were consulted too,” said Salvör Nordal, ombudsperson for children in Iceland.

The philosopher is convinced that children have a right to express their views and should therefore be systematically included in public opinion formation.

Nordal mentioned the example of a children’s assembly in her country two years ago that gave children aged 11 to 15 a platform to discuss their concerns in a “safe space”, that is, without interference of adults from the beginning. Only in later steps did grown-ups get involved to present the demands to politicians.

Read the full story here.