Child Voice at the SCF

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is committed to bringing the voice of children and youth into the Sporting Chance Forum.  Towards this end, there will be youth representation at the Forum and the Centre has developed an online survey to further capture the perspectives of youth from around the world on the topics included in the agenda. The survey was available for youth under 24 to fill out until 20 November 2019. 

The information gathered through the survey was reviewed and analysed in order to identify key messages, questions, and concerns to bring directly into the Forum's sessions, and we share some of the key highlights below.

“In India there are strong laws, regulations and guidelines drafted by the Sports Authority regarding integrity in sport, which directly apply to all recognized and licensed federations. However, the awareness and proper execution to reach every nook and corner of the country is a challenge. Dissemination of such policies remains confined to a specific reach of people, which further widens the gap. There is an ardent need to bring all the concerned sectors and stakeholders together to put a dent on this mass violation and deprivation. Just like we aspire to ensure equal participation of children and youth in sports; ensuring equal participation and support from major stakeholders that affect their lives directly/indirectly is equally vital.”
- Youth from India 

“Children should be part of important decision making and they are not at the moment.” 
- Youth from Nigeria

“Sports broadcasters can help to spread awareness about the rights of children’s in sports. They show the real human face of the story. Show the background story of an event so everyone knows how much difficulties they face for making this event successful.”
- Youth from India 

“Looking at the current trends in Asian sports industry, it is time for sport’s governing bodies and clubs to create and consider an ethical code for their financial partnerships with different line of areas – food beverage, equipment, logistics, media etc. - and for governments to consider stricter regulation of this activity, to demonstrate a true commitment to the overall welfare and growth opportunities to the children and young people.”
- Youth from India 

 “Children should be part of important decision making and they are not at the moment.” 
- Youth from Nigeria

“To provide good or effective governance in sports system is quite challenging because of the wide range of participants involved including individuals, players and clubs, commercial and non-commercial organizations, educational and training bodies at local, national, and international levels. Any sort of abuse or violation to a player directly questions the governance of various sub-systems affecting the child/young person. These sub-systems having different interests and priorities, need to have a common curative as well as preventive protocol to counter physical, emotional and sexual abuse within and outside the sport. All groups involved in a sport need to have confidence that the sports in which they are involved are effectively and fairly governed at every level.”
- Youth from India

“Children and youth have to know who to talk to when they experience harm/abuse and they have to be given legal support. On the other end, the authorities should also be strict to monitor such incidences and be able to take action, and not to tolerate it.”
- Youth from the Philippines

“Young people should be giving a place at the decision-making table, their contributions taken into consideration and implemented as well.”
- Youth from Nigeria 

“It would be a great idea to involve young people in the planning and implementation in sport partnerships as they can bring ground experiences and provide suggestions from their perspectives which can be really helpful during the process.”
- Youth from Nepa

“Authorities must invest in creating children and youth led spaces to foster and promote leadership to tackle real time issues of children and youth.”
- Youth from India

“The UNESCO Youth and Sport Task Force is an example of a network set up to work on partnerships and development in sport. It is a platform for young sport leaders from around the globe to collaborate and share best practices.”
- Youth from Cambodia

“I would like big decision-makers to ensure that everyone who runs sports-based programs be educated and trained in safeguarding.”
- Youth from Germany

“Ensure there are safe spaces in every community where children and youth can freely and safely play sports.”
- Youth from the Philippines

“It is important to prioritise mental health and well-being and ensure safeguarding of children and young people in sport.”
- Youth from Europe

For any questions related to youth engagement in the Forum please contact Amy Karageorgos at: [email protected] 

For further background on the issues, see the MSE Platform White Paper on Children's Rights in the Sports Context.