Yes, they can! Children researching their lives: a new book from SOS

We are all experts of our own living conditions. Women and men, children and young people. We can all judge whether our living conditions are satisfactory to us or not. But whose opinion is heard? Who decides? Whose needs eventually lead to change?

Some 100 researchers - young people and adults - who participated in the conference "Researching Children" which took place at the SOS Children's Villages Academy in Innsbruck from 10 to 12 December 2007, agreed: children and young people must not only be asked but also be listened to and involved in decisions. And they are to decide themselves how to collect data.

Plenty of evidence to that effect was presented during the conference and can be read in "Yes, they can! Children researching their lives." The underlying theme of the book is child participation in research and it presents projects which saw children and young people ask questions, collect information and reach various conclusions on topics that affect their lives.

The book asks such questions as: What kind of preconditions are necessary for research work with children and young people to have a real impact and not just be used as an alibi? What methods can be used in research with children and young people and what studies on this topic do exist? Theorists as well as people working in the field came together both at the conference and to write this book. They believe that everyone has the right to talk and think about our society. Children and young people do. And they have a lot to say.

Editors: Fiedler, Julia / Posch, Christian (2009): Yes, they can! Children researching their lives. Baltmansweiler, Schneider Verlag Hohengehren GmbH. €19,80. This includes shipping within Europe. For shipping outside of Europe, please ask for rates.

This book can be ordered by emailing:researchingchildren@sos-kd.org

The contents of the book can be viewed as a pdf.