Inclusion of Children as Active Citizens and Social Work Intervention with Community in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Children as citizens are born with civil, political, social and economic rights. Children are considered as active and autonomous individuals, despite the fact that they remain objects of protection and are less visible. Their reduced visibility, is generally seen in activities organized purportedly as events for children’s participation achieving other outcomes. Such initiatives proved to be non-events in the case of children’s rights. These events underscored the necessity to intervene to establish children’s inclusionary position in society. This study therefore addresses the outcomes of social work interventions in communities involving children. The interventions were specifically designed to address issues of active participation of children that promote inclusionary citizenship. In this process attempts were made to promote and inculcate active citizenship values and to create awareness on inclusion policies not only among the younger generation but particularly among the influential, `opinion making’ older members in the community The paper argues that to achieve the full participation of children for their development, interventions from professional social workers are essential. Professionally qualified social workers with wide field experiences play important roles in the promotion of inclusionary policies among community members especially with children. As illustrations, the study uses two community work projects that identify and underscore very clearly instances wherein professional social workers play important roles to revitalize communities for citizenship practices inclusive of children in Sri Lanka.