On April 25th, 2026, a landmark initiative was launched to ensure that children and young people are not only heard but actively involved in global events that affect their lives. After 15 months of collaborative work by a diverse group of child rights activists from around the world, the Children’s and Young People’s Standards for their Meaningful Participation in Global Events were unveiled, marking a significant step forward in promoting inclusive, respectful, and impactful participation. Why These Standards Matter Children and young people have the right to be heard in all matters affecting them, as enshrined in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Yet, their voices have often been underrepresented or included in tokenistic ways in global decision-making processes. These new standards address this gap by providing a clear, child-authored framework to guide organizers in creating meaningful participation opportunities that respect children’s rights and lived experiences. Developed by Children, for Children The standards were developed by a global task group of eight children and young people aged 12 …