Participation and Agency of Children and Youth In Times of Crises

Participation is widely recognized as a cornerstone of democratic societies and a fundamental right under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC). Yet, for young people, opportunities for meaningful participation often remain restricted, fragmented, or symbolic. Their everyday lives are too often shaped by insecurity, institutional exclusion, poverty risks, and adult-centered decision-making, all of which significantly affect their opportunities to participate in democratic, social, cultural or environmental processes. Against this backdrop, this open session addresses the question: How do young people perceive their participation opportunities for social change under conditions of structural insecurity and global socio-ecological challenges? Bringing together perspectives from childhood and youth studies, migration research, and sustainability studies, the session explores participation not only as a legal principle under the UN CRC, but also as a condition for empowerment, well-being, and social belonging. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which young people engage with current socio-ecological challenges, including war and civil conflict, climate change, social inequality, or the rise of nationalist counter-narratives that threaten to undermine solidarity across generations and societies. The session aims to discuss both the possibilities and limits of participation at local, national, and international levels and highlights examples of participatory practices, while critically reflecting on structural barriers within schools, welfare systems, civil society, and political institutions. Research focusing on vulnerable groups such as young people with a migration or refugee background, living in poverty, or with disabilities are particularly welcome, in order to strengthen practices of inclusion.