Situational Analysis on Children and Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement in Indonesia

There are about 85 million children in Indonesia, and adolescents (aged 10-19 years) make up 46,8 million – a number that is growing. Adolescent participation rights, at least for those under the age of 18 in accordance with the definition of children, are guaranteed in Republic of Indonesia Law. The Child Protection Law, number 35 Year 2014 Article 56 section 1 states the role of the Government and local government is to ensure children can participate, be free to express opinions and think according to their conscience and religion and express freedom of association and assembly. In addition, the Law goes as far as stating the role of community (masyarakat) to provide space for children to participate and express opinions.

Participation contributes to the empowerment of adolescents – to believe in themselves, to build strength through collaboration, and to actively engage in the realization of their rights. If adolescents’ right to express their views is recognized and taken seriously, it would promote a sense of self-esteem and capacity to make a difference. This can be further strengthened through the collaborative nature of participation.

The key conditions necessary for child and adolescent participation are:

• Enabling environment – existence and interconnections of social actors, structures, policy and regulations that enable participation;
• Meaningful participation (voice, space, audience, influence);
• Availability of different modes of participation (consultative, collaborative, adolescent-led)
• The social ecology of participation (individual, family, institutions, etc.)