From reader to leader: The power of child participation
Paris, aged 15, is the second child in his family and lives with his mother, the primary wage earner. He is currently studying in Grade 9, and, alongside his studies, Paris actively contributes to his community as a Children and Youth (CAY) Leader and Community Reading Facilitator (CRF). He supports young children by leading reading camps to improve their literacy skills and also leads life skills sessions, helping them grow into confident learners and leaders.
Paris has been a registered child with World Vision since 21st September 2015. A registered child is enrolled in World Vision’s sponsorship programme, which supports children in underprivileged communities to break free from poverty, bringing lasting change to their lives, families, and communities.
Additionally, Paris has been a sponsored child, since 3rd May 2017 when he received his first sponsor. Through World Vision sponsorship, a donor is connected with a specific child, building a meaningful relationship through exchanged letters and photos, while also contributing to the child’s development and wellbeing. This makes the experience more individual, relational and encouraging for both of them.
In 2024, Paris’s commitment and leadership were recognised when he was selected to join the Children and Youth Council (CYC) through a rigorous process led by World Vision. Shortly after, he was nominated as a Cambodia National CYC representative, joining other children in identifying and addressing the most pressing issues affecting vulnerable youth in their communities.
“I was feeling very excited to be nominated as a Cambodia National CYC representative to bring children’s voices to decision-makers from a variety of sectors, such as government and World Vision. I felt empowered knowing that the concerns of children like me could influence decision-making in the community,” said Paris.
As part of his work with the CYC, Paris led Community Learning-Service Projects (CLSPs) to educate children and adults about environmental care and climate change, fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness among community members. These projects were informed by a child-led research initiative that Paris co-led to engage children, youth, farmers, and local authorities through surveys and interviews.
“World Vision had provided ongoing capacity building through training courses in gender, leadership, climate change, conflict resolution, child-led research, and project implementation. They also provided people to serve as our mentors and coaches to guide me as I led the training sessions,” Paris shared.
Paris and his team identified key community challenges, including the lack of healthy eating habits, dependence on imported vegetables from unknown sources, junk food sales in schools, school dropout rates, and limited knowledge about climate change. The child-led research project collected first-hand data that supported evidence-based discussions with local decision-makers.
“Local authorities also supported these efforts by allowing us to carry out the activities without obstructions,” Paris explained. “They supported our initial CLSP proposals, gave us feedback, and helped implement some of the projects alongside us. They respected our work and allowed it to continue without disruption. Specifically, during the child-led research phase, they supported us by permitting interviews with community members, including the authorities themselves.”
This collaborative approach enabled youth-led initiatives to move forward smoothly and build trust between young people and local governance structures.
In 2025, Paris was selected to participate in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), where he gained valuable insights into sustainability, children’s rights, and youth participation at a regional level. On returning home, he shared his experiences with his groups to inspire wider involvement and began planning future research projects to strengthen local advocacy with concrete, child-generated evidence.
“I’m honoured and thrilled that children like me could earn the trust of other youth and of World Vision. I realised I have the ability to represent those whose voices are usually unheard, and that our voices can truly influence decisions. The CYC platform gave us the opportunity to speak up and protect ourselves and others,” said Paris.
Paris has become a vocal advocate for child participation, particularly in local government decision-making.
“I advocate for child participation in local government decision-making. Children should have opportunities to share their perspectives on the challenges they face because they understand clearly what is happening in their own communities,” he said.
“I hope for a society where all children have equal opportunities to participate in important decision-making processes, where young people can work together to care for the environment and combat climate change, where children and families enjoy good health, and where access to quality education is a reality for everyone,” added Paris, who dreams of becoming a teacher in his village, a role through which he hopes to continue inspiring children in his community by contributing to quality education.
By sharing knowledge, inspiring others, and modelling youth leadership, Paris has become a powerful voice and changemaker, opening a space for a more informed, engaged, and hopeful future for Cambodian children.
“I promote child participation in local government programmes because children should not only be seen as beneficiaries but as contributors who can express their lived experiences and shape their communities.”
Paris continues to lead as a CAY Leader and CRF, empowering children and youth around him. His child-led research survey—designed and conducted with children, youth, farmers, and local authorities—has already made a lasting impact through CLSP initiatives that have been based on real, community-driven data. Through these efforts, Paris is helping create lasting, systemic change—led by children, for children.