Children and young people have much to offer the community they live in, but are often excluded in decisions and policies that affect their development, as their own opinions are ignored or overruled much of the time. Participatory approaches used in development in a practical framework can provide the vehicle needed to include children in the decision-making processes which affect their communities, and can have far reaching implications for policies and practice. This text presents the key issues and challenges involved in facilitating children and young people's participation in the development process. The contributors come from a range of backgrounds including NGOs in development, children's agencies, academic institutions and governments, bringing a multi-disciplinary approach to children's participation. Chapter One provides an overview to the main issues and concepts, and chapters Two to Seven each expand on a particular theme, drawing on case studies from around the world. The main issues discussed and analyzed include: the ethical dilemmas that face professionals in addressing children's participation; the process and methods used in participatory research and planning with children; the inter-relationship between culture and children's participation; consideration for institutions; and the key qualities of a participation programme for children and young people's participation.