Children’s Citizenship, Rights and Participation explored at DCU Changemakers Schools Conference

The conference celebrated new schools joining the DCU CSN, and explored children's citizenship, rights and participation in Irish schools today. More than 110 attended the conference, including students, change leaders and school principals from the DCU CSN.

The DCU CSN is a network of schools from all over Ireland who are creating systemic change in education. Schools within the DCU CSN believe in the criticality of student voice, and seek to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges, including mental health, inequality and climate change.

The DCU CSN aims to develop a university partnership with DCU and schools in Ireland, as schools work as a professional learning community to support each other and the learning of their students.

The keynote speaker on the day was international thought leader Harry Sheir, whose speech focused on children’s citizenship, rights and participation. Harry also spoke about the Pathways to Participation model, as well as creating school cultures to realise children’s rights.

Among the topics and key questions explored on the day were examining alternatives to the Student Council model in primary schools, the role of primary education in responding to some of the key challenges facing democratic societies and democracy in Ireland and Europe as well as sharing best practice across participating DCU CSN schools.

Dr John White (Director of DCU CSN) said 

“For educators, the conference was most enlightening. Focusing on the importance of voice, and in particular, the importance of children's voices, the conference examined and celebrated many of the exciting, inspiring and creative approaches DCU Changemaker schools undertake in their delivery of the curriculum and in the creation of enriching and engaging learning experiences”. 

Fiona Collins (Network Co-ordinator DCU CSN) said 

“The DCU CSN is a unique initiative whereby we connect contemporary practices in schools to research and policy. Bringing together thought leaders in those schools, to work with an expert panel of fourteen children at our Conference, inspires hope for the future. A future foregrounded in recognising children’s authentic right to participate in school life and contribute meaningfully to society. The future is bright."

For more information on the DCU CSN, or to nominate a school, please visit this link.