Every Child's Future Matters - Sustainable Development Commission

“Action is taken to prevent offending and to reduce
re-offending by children and young people”
Youth activities are an acknowledged element of
government crime prevention programmes, 111 yet
provision is often intermittent due to short-term
funding and geographically patchy such that young
people from low-income families are not always
able to participate. Organisations such as Trees for
Cities and Groundwork attempt to involve children
and young people in environmental projects of their
own choosing, fostering interest and ownership.
As many schools have noticed, when young people
are actively involved in the design and development
of their landscapes, they are less likely to be
damaged through vandalism. 112
Key judgement
“Let more powerful people understand, hold campaigns, let the older and the more
powerful people understand me and understand that there needs to be change now.”
Young person’s view of the London Plan in respect of climate change. 115
Key judgement
“Children and young people who are looked after
are helped to make a positive contribution”
A review of outdoor education, including school
grounds projects, found benefits in areas such as
children’s confidence, autonomy and ‘coping’. 113 Time
spent in green space has particular value for children
with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, benefiting their concentration. 114 Similarly,
looked-after children have much to gain from
participation in environmental projects organised in
their home or local areas. These provide opportunities
to learn organisational and
problem-solving skills, build
self-esteem, and make a
positive contribution to those
around them. Above all, they
can engender a sense of
place (‘rootedness’) which
is important for emotional
stability.