KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica observes Child Month, the Fi We Children Foundation is calling on policymakers, institutions, schools, and community stakeholders to move beyond symbolic participation and ensure that children and young people are meaningfully consulted on policies and decisions that directly affect their lives.

In a statement on Thursday, the foundation noted that while children and youth are frequently encouraged to “use their voice,” many national and community level discussions continue to exclude them from decision making spaces.

The organisation maintained that authentic youth participation is critical to building safer schools, stronger communities, and more inclusive national development policies.

“Young people are not just future leaders — they are leaders now. Policies surrounding education, violence prevention, mental health, climate resilience, reproductive justice, and child protection cannot be effectively designed without listening to the lived experiences of children and youth,” stated Youth Advocate Sabrina Barnes.

The organisation is urging government agencies, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and private sector stakeholders to adopt more youth-centred consultation mechanisms, including:

• Youth advisory councils and forums;
• Student-led consultations within schools and communities;
• Increased youth representation in policy development processes;
• Accessible and safe platforms for children to share their perspectives; and
• Greater investment in youth advocacy and leadership development programmes.

The foundation emphasised that meaningful consultation must extend beyond tokenism and include active engagement, transparency, and accountability throughout decision-making processes.

“Children and young people are experts in their own experiences. When they are excluded from conversations about issues affecting them, opportunities for impactful and sustainable solutions are often missed,” the organisation added.

Throughout Child Month, the Fi We Children Foundation continues to advocate for stronger protections, empowerment initiatives, and opportunities that enable Jamaican youth to actively shape the future they will inherit.

The organisation is also encouraging parents, educators, community leaders, and policymakers to foster environments where children feel safe, respected, and empowered to participate in discussions concerning their rights and wellbeing.