Voice of the Children Symposium cum Exhibition

To conclude our five-year journey in promoting Child Participatory Community Development and to share the insights gained from our monitoring and evaluation study, Plan International Hong Kong organized the “Voice of the Children Symposium and Exhibition” on 27-28 December 2024, at Central Market. Through a series of thoughtful dialogue sessions and engaging interactive activities, we brought together sector professionals and members of the public in exploring the significance and potential of empowering children to participate meaningfully in the community.

Research Launch: What Makes Child Participation Effective?

To enhance the level and quality of children’s participation, we commissioned the Good Impact Assessment Institute to conduct an 18-month Monitoring and Evaluation Study of Phase 3 of the project (2022-2024). On the first day of the symposium, Professor Wong Hung presented the research findings, highlighting that participation in community development fosters children’s growth on individual, group, and community levels. It strengthens their confidence and communication skills, nurtures teamwork and respect, and deepens their sense of belonging—encouraging them to contribute actively to their community. This underscores that child participation is not only a right, but also a vital experience for holistic development.

The study distilled key insights from the project, identifying three essential elements for designing effective child participation initiatives: values, process, and environment.

• Values: Projects should remain child-centred and rights-based. Children should be aware of their right to choose their level of involvement and to decide whether or not to follow adult suggestions.
• Process: A process-oriented approach is crucial. For example, Voice of the Children follows a structured four-stage model that gives children the time and space to build their capacity to express opinions and engage with the community. At the same time, adults must also foster trust, create meaningful opportunities, and gradually involve children in decision-making.
• Environment: An enabling, supportive and inclusive setting ensures that every child participated feels valued and accepted, making the experience enjoyable and empowering.

Experience Sharing: How Adults and Organisations Support Children’s Participation?

The key to effective child participation depends not only on the children themselves, but also on the support and guidance provided by adults. During the symposium, representatives from partner organisations, the HKSKH Lady MacLehose Centre and Hong Kong Christian Service North Point Happy Teens Club, generously shared their experiences of in implementing child participation programmes in their districts. They highlighted the importance of adults acting as facilitators and supporters, learning to trust children’s capabilities and gradually stepping back to create space for leadership. This includes allowing children to identify community issues, plan activities, and take on roles such as emcees and tour guides— thereby growing through hands-on experience.

One of the social workers shared a poignant remark from a child: “Outside of the community centre, I have no participation rights.” This underscores a common reality that children often lack opportunities to express their opinions in everyday settings such as schools and families. As an organisation advocating for children’s rights, we are determined to extend these participation opportunities beyond community centres and into broader spheres of life so that children can express their views and be heard. Moreover, we were pleased to invite Hon. Judy Chan Kapui, Member of the Legislative Council, and Dr. Sandra Tsang, Board Member of Plan International Hong Kong, to engage with the child participants during the symposium on community issues that matter to them. Looking ahead, we hope society will establish regular channels for gathering and listening to children’s voices , ensuring that their opinions are not only heard, but given the attention and influence they deserve.

Ideas Exchange: Can Art and Design Bring Child Participation to Life?

Beyond reflecting on project outcomes, the symposium also explored innovative approaches to child participation. On the second day, we invited Mr. Uno Lin, Founder of Studio Uno from Taiwan; Mr. Kevin Siu, Co-founder of AaaM Architects; and Ms. Vangi Fong, Founder of the Hill Workshop, to discuss how art and design can serve as effective mediums for child participation.

The discussion underscored the vital role of child participation in design, highlighting how art and design offer unique avenues for children to express themselves and unleash their imagination. For example, the AaaM Architects team consulted children lived in the nearby community, including participants from “Voice of the Children Phase II”, during the redesign of Tong Mei Road Children’s Playground. By listening to the their suggestions, the team incorporated a climbing platform that preserved the “Great White Shark” game invented by the children there.

Tong Mei Road Children’s Playground (Before and After)

Hands-On Experience: Child-Led Workshops

To convey the spirit of child participation to the public, direct experience is invaluable. Over the two days, children themselves took centre stage as speakers, facilitators, guiding both peers and adults throughout the workshops, illustrating the joy and importance of child participation. In the “Kids’ Forum”, young representatives from various organisations came together to share and discuss the community issues closest to their hearts. Junior Community Officers and Child Community Designers from the “Voice of the Children” project also led workshops, inviting participants to build community models with LEGO and create artistic prints.
Guest speakers further enriched the programme with imaginative art workshops. In “Crowned by Nature”, children from studio uno gathered natural materials such as leaves from the bustling streets of Central to craft unique crowns. AaaM Architects’ “Creative Hopscotch Design” encouraged children to reimagine patterns and rules for hopscotch using paper tape. Meanwhile, in “Art is an Adventure”, the Hill Workshop invited Mr. Tang Kwok Hin, a local multi-media artist to guide children in exploring the playful art of paper-tearing craft.

Conclusion: Child Participation—Today and Every Day!

Child participation is far more than a project; it embodies trust and support for the younger generation. Whether in organisations, schools, families, or communities at large, adults have a shared responsibility to weave child participation into the fabric of everyday life and to listen attentively to children’s voices. By doing so, we cultivate environments built on mutual respect, equality, and opportunity—enabling every child to grow up healthy, confident, and happy. The “Voice of the Children Symposium and Exhibition” stands as a meaningful milestone in our five-year journey. We look forward to many more opportunities to engage, collaborate, and continue amplifying children’s voices across our community.

“Voice of the Children” Symposium cum Exhibition – Highlight Video

“Voice of the Children” Symposium cum Exhibition – Pamphlet (Chinese only)

Media Coverage 

Date	Media	Link
4 June 2024	East Week	「兒童留聲台」讓港孩發聲*
2 May 2024	Sing Tao Headline	KellyChu – 兒童也有「參與權」 研究指助增強自信心 | Executive日記*
29 April 2024	HK01	研究指設計有效兒童參與項目　應着重於價值、過程和環境三個方面*
29 April 2024	inmedia.hk	發佈全港首個追蹤性兒童參與監察與評估研究報告*
28 April 2024	The Standard	Children encouraged to participate in social affairs to enhance expressiveness and self-autonomy
27 April 2024	on.cc	促進兒童參與社區議題　助提升自信心及社區聯繫感*

*Chinese Only