The UNESCO Child Friendly Cities initiative, which was founded in 1996, has been enthusiastically adopted by cities in Japan. The initiative was conceived as a way of empowering children and implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child at a local level.

Cities in which children are able to “live happily and safely, express their opinions, influence decision-making and participate in community and social life” can apply for international recognition, and the cities of Fukuoka, Hiroshima and Sendai were recently awarded this special status.

UNESCO says many local governments in Japan are following their example, increasing children’s participation in urban planning decisions and enabling them to express their opinions. In the town of Niseko, for example, the under-20s participate in town planning committees, and a children’s parliament enables input and feedback on important design decisions.

In an interview with CLADmag, Dr Isami Kinoshita – architecture professor at Chiba University and leader of the CFC initiative in Japan – said: “The level of children’s participation has been increasing significantly, especially, since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Children’s participation has been promoted in municipalities where rebuilding is taking place, with consultation and support from global NGOs and UNICEF.”

UNICEF said: “Child Friendly Cities are challenging traditional ‘seen and not heard’ attitudes to children and placing duties on parents, teachers and others to listen and give consideration to their views. Governments are holding consultations with children and in some cases, are seeking to build consultation into their everyday practices.”

These initiatives ‘inform and involve’ children, respect their views and experiences, recognise them as partners and human beings, rights-holders and equal citizens.

Children are our hope for the future. Respecting their views and taking them seriously is vital if we are to build healthy, sustainable communities. Adults are already well represented in the planning process, but most children have no voice and would have no idea how to exercise it if they did. We need to mentor them in this process so they can participate.

The inclusion of children in the design and planning process is an important priority for all to champion – whether the circumstances be rebuilding, or more routine development. Ask yourself what you can do today to make this happen.