Childhood Participation: A Challenge of Design and Implementation of Public Policies in Chile

Abstract

Chile is facing a process of socio-political, and cultural transformation. This has meant embarking on the path towards a constitutional change in which childhood is identified as an area of significant prominence in terms of social demands. There is a debate over the position that children and adolescents should have in Chilean society, especially around the idea of being protagonists of the processes in which they are subjects of intervention. This demand is fundamental, as serious violations of children's rights have been evidenced in the country, and the right to participation has been diagnosed as being among the most violated. Furthermore, the youth has been an engine of change in the country, leading demonstrations that strengthened society's conviction regarding the necessity of a new constitution. This research examines whether it is necessary to incorporate childhood participation in Public Policy Making in Chile and the possible consequences of this aim for childhood, policymaking, and social programs in which they are part. This research considers a qualitative approach and participative research methods such as the Mosaic Approach, in which adolescents, and Chilean Childhood System’s professionals were the participants; and the semi-structured interviews allowed to explore different perspectives of adolescents, experts and policymakers.