Written by Roger Hart, this Innocenti Essay (4), looks at young people’s participation and notes that it occurs to different degrees around the world. Examines the concept of the ‘Ladder of Participation’; a useful model for thinking about young people’s participation in projects.

Eight levels of participation are identified:

• Manipulation


• Decoration


• Tokenism


• Assigned but informed


• Consulted and informed


• Adult-initiated, shared decisions with children


• Child initiated and directed


• Child initiated, shared decisions with adults

Gives examples of these different models of participation.

Published in 1992 by UNICEF ICDC, Florence.

ISBN: 88 85401 058

Price: Free

Available to order from the Publications section of the UNICEF website