“Of, Not For...”: The Evolving Recognition of Children’s Rights in a Community

Abstract

This article describes the development of a charter

of rights of children and youth in Hamilton,

Ontario. The process involved gathering input

from over 1,500 children and youth in the

form of spoken and written words, drawings,

and other visual representations. A validation

process resulted in over 900 more children being

directly engaged. The inclusion of participatory

responsibilities for both children and adults

appears to have increased the level of acceptance

of the charter among adults. Awareness of the

document was aided by its multiple formats of

publication and by an exhibit that toured key

locations throughout the city, beginning at City

Hall.