Media is an effective way for children to carry messages about health, rights, and education into isolated rural villages.
Children and youth's participation in decisions that affect their lives is limited or non-existent, due in part to the lack of adult understanding of the added value of children and young people's views. Children and youth have restricted access to formal or informal channels for participation. As a result, their capacities, skills, and confidence are not nurtured and many feel alienated from the State. Issues affecting children and youth remain poorly reflected in local development planning and government service delivery.
African Australian Network will strengthen child and youth participation and engagement to help build citizenship and democracy. We support efforts that build and strengthen the capacity of children and youth to demand and realize their rights from the State. We also support leadership development and assist children and youth to achieve their potential by involving them as part of civil society in issues of policy, budget allocations, development activities and accountability mechanisms.