Introduction

Abstract

Moving forward thinking and practice in relation to children and young people’s participation and engagement has never been more urgent. This means going beyond simply seeking to involve children and young people in existing structures and processes to realise visions of new democratic alternatives. Faced with barriers and mistrust of mainstream political processes, many young people around the world are seeing new spaces for democracy in local and trans-local communities, nationally, globally and digitally, to speak out, organise and exercise their voice and democratic rights. Irrespective of boundaries and scale, there is a clear groundswell in young people turning away from established democratic structures and processes and engaging in new forms of child and youth-led participation initiatives rooted in everyday struggles and a deeper moral commitment in remaking democracy.