Social participation opportunities for young refugees and refugee children

By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Switzerland has committed itself to taking into account the best interests of the child as a primary consideration, particularly in government measures. For example, with regard to asylum policy, children's rights, such as the right to special protection, educational opportunities and appropriate accommodation must be respected. Furthermore, social participation in social life should be made possible. This means actively involving children and young people in matters that affect them, so that their opinions are taken into account appropriately.

But how do children and young people, their parents and volunteers in Switzerland perceive the opportunities for social participation of refugee children and young people? What conditions, opportunities and challenges can be formulated from the perspective of the involved actors with regard to social participation?

This participatory research project addressed these questions. Volunteers active in the refugee and asylum sector who deal with questions of social participation opportunities based on concrete expereinces were involved as co-researchers and participated in relevant issues. The aim was to realize a joint, explorative, qualitative preliminary study by researchers and citizens.