Save the Children proposes that the IDC undertakes an inquiry into the FCDO’s approach to listening to children to inform its work – through engaging with them meaningfully and responding to their inputs. We recommend the committee examines how the FCDO i) systematically consults with children, communities and child or girl-led movements in low- and middle-income counties to inform the FCDO’s strategic approach to development and humanitarianism ii) engages with children, and appropriately includes children in their delegations, at major international conferences.

Through our work in over 120 countries, we know that children are at the forefront of driving change in their communities across the world. They have a right enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, and they have insightful views on the support and change they need to protect their futures.

In his 2024 speech to the UN general assembly the Prime Minister outlined his vision for the UK to be ‘Moving from the paternalism of the past towards partnership for the future. Listening a lot more – speaking a bit less. Offering game-changing British expertise and working together in a spirit of equal respect.’

In the spirit of this, the start a new Parliament is a critical opportunity for the IDC to scrutinise how the FCDO can go further to listen to the voices and views of children who live on the frontlines of many of global crises the FCDO is working to address.

There are some pockets of positive work happening within the FCDO already, for example:

• The FCDO has set up the Youth Education Council which consults with young people on issues of global education, including policy engagement. Save the Children facilitates the involvement of a child from our own youth advisory committees and helped set this council up. The group is run by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Plan International UK, in conjunction with the FCDO.
• For several years now, the Minister responsible for Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) has held a roundtable with children living in conflict affected countries ahead of the UN Secretary General’s Annual Report on CAAC. This roundtable is facilitated by War Child and Save the Children. In 2024, a key part of the roundtable was also to hear recommendations from children to inform the UK’s first ever CAAC strategy.

An inquiry by the IDC would help to explore best practice from initiatives like this and enable the FCDO to take a more systematic approach. Outcomes from the inquiry should be informed by children’s own views, and could include recommendations for i) improving engagement with child and youth led groups in country ii) increasing engagement by ministers and officials with children to inform the FCDO’s strategic and programmatic work iii) ensuring the FCDO better uses the global summits – where child advocates have a presence – to create meaningful platforms for their advocacy and calls for change.

Have you ever engaged with Parliament before (e.g. made a submission to a select committee)?

Yes – Save the Children engages with committees, MPs, Peers and other mechanisms to advocate for children’s rights

Do you have personal or field experience related to international development issues?

Yes – Save the Children works in over 120 countries to support children and help create lasting change with them.

If you are invited to pitch your idea to the Committee, would you be able to travel to London and back within the same day?

Yes