Bridging Participation

Child-led Advocacy and the Transition to Adulthood in an Era of Polycrisis

Abstract

The transition from childhood to adulthood is a critical stage in child-led advocacy initiatives, offering opportunities to reflect on how young people can continue to engage meaningfully in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. This article draws on insights from Dialogue Works,1 a global campaign that supports working children in shaping policy dialogues, to explore the actions children, young people, and adults—particularly in the so-called Global South—are taking in the face of overlapping global crises. It examines the experiences of Children’s Advisory Committee members as they navigate the shift from child advocates to mentors and resource people, reflecting on what makes intergenerational partnerships “successful” amidst intersecting forms of marginalization and discrimination. The article also addresses the challenges of sustaining intergenerational advocacy, including strategies to overcome barriers, such as pervasive adult-centrism, and the critical role of those who have “aged out” of childhood in nurturing advocacy efforts. By anchoring participation in sustainable and inclusive platforms, the article envisions a future where intergenerational collaboration amplifies children and young people’s voices and strengthens the collective resilience needed to promote children’s rights in an era of polycrisis.

Keywords: children’s participation; child-led advocacy; aging out; adult-centrism; transition; childhood youth; adulthood; mentor; intergenerational partnership.