Child Voices: Participation, Well-being & Resilience of Children in the Era of Polycrisis

The poly-crisis, including climate change, wars and social conflicts, migration, social and political polarization, democracy, pandemics, energy challenges, economic issues, digitalization, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes, endangers children’s current and future well-being worldwide. This Cost Action seeks to create a network of scholars, experts, practitioners, and professionals focused on child participation to safeguard and prioritize the well-being of children during times of polycrisis, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 17. Child well-being is an analytical and theoretical tool in the light of objective and subjective indicators in different domains. The child well-being perspective recognizes the child as an active research participant and expert of experience who conveys their life story. The transition from a welfare approach to one centered on well-being in childhood studies signifies a growing recognition of child participation as both a right and an important domain for child well-being. Thus, the challenge is its implementation and/or realization, which is crucial for resilience under further stress in times of crisis. Additionally, young people’s activism, while important, can sometimes pose risks to their well-being, highlighting the need for further research and innovative collaboration. The digital world profoundly influences children’s well-being and resilience, providing new opportunities through their access to information, social interactions, and education, while also posing challenges, requiring careful management. This action aims to create a network that brings together scholars, experts, and practitioners dedicated to ensuring and protecting child participation amidst multiple crises, thereby prioritizing children’s well-being.