Issues related to children are often couched in terms of protecting them from harm. While these issues are certainly critical, little consideration is given to the rights of children to express their opinions on issues that may concern them. The exclusion of youth from decision-making processes is not merely lamentable, but an affront to international human rights. In this issue, we focus on young adults emerging from early childhood and preparing to make their own decisions. You will learn about extraordinary young people both in the U.S. and in developing countries who refuse to accept the inequities and injustice of the world around them and have chosen to act and organize to make a change.
Issues related to children are often couched in terms of protecting them from harm. While these issues are certainly critical, little consideration is given to the rights of children to express their opinions on issues that may concern them. The exclusion of youth from decision-making processes is not merely lamentable, but an affront to international human rights. In this issue, we focus on young adults emerging from early childhood and preparing to make their own decisions. You will learn about extraordinary young people both in the U.S. and in developing countries who refuse to accept the inequities and injustice of the world around them and have chosen to act and organize to make a change.