AIMJF’S COMPARATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ON CHILD PARTICIPATION IN JUVENILE JUSTICE

Abstract

The paper analyzes comparatively 55 national reports on child participation in juvenile justice. collected from members and collaborators of the International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates. After a short exposition of the aims of the research and some methodological considerations, applicable international and regional standards are highlighted to introduce and guide specific analysis of 1) criteria for organizing jurisdiction, 2) the preparation for child´s participation, 3) the adaptations to provide better conditions to grant the right of the child to be heard and 4)  specific legal guarantees or special measures. The paper also analyzes training conditions for judges and magistrates, reforms in progress and the participants recommendations and suggestions to improve the system. Final conclusions and recommendations for the future intend to stimulate further international judicial dialogue and experience sharing, for which a compilation of both informative material for children and photos of spaces for child hearing is provided.