Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 1 2. THE UNCRC AND CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE .................................................... 3 3. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................... 6 LIMITATIONS AND WEAKNESSES ............................................................................................................................. 4. LEGAL AND POLICY REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 9 INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY INSTRUMENTS............................................................................................................... FAMILY ......................................................................................................................................................................... EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................................................. JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS .................................................................................................... ALTERNATIVE CARE ................................................................................................................................................... CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION AND THE MEDIA....................................................................................................... 5. CHILD FOCUS GROUP MEETING OUTCOMES ....................................................................... 26 ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................................................. RELATIONS .................................................................................................................................................................. VALUES......................................................................................................................................................................... IMAGES OF SELF.......................................................................................................................................................... RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULTS .......................................................................................................................... MOTIVATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 6. PARENT/TEACHER DISCUSSION OUTCOMES ..................................................................... 42 7. CHILDREN IN ALTERNATIVE CARE ............................................................................................. MAAFUSHI EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE FOR CHILDREN ...................................................................... KUDAKUDHINGE HIYAA CHILDREN’S SHELTER...................................................................................................... FEYDHOO FINOLHU CORRECTIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR CHILDREN ........................................................ 8. CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION: GENERAL ATTITUDES ..................................................... 65 9. CONCLUDING REMARKS & RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................. 68 10. REFERENCES AND RESOURCES ............................................................................................. 73 APPENDIX I: PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN’S FOCUS GROUPS ............................................................................. APPENDIX II: QUESTIONS ASKED AT FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS .................................................................... APPENDIX III: FOCUS GROUP PRESENTATIONS .................................................................................................... APPENDIX IV ............................................................................................................................................................... REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................... 2