Andreas Schleicher presents at the launch of What does child empowerment mean today Implications for education and well-being on the 15 May 2024

Andreas Schleicher presents at the launch of ‘What does child empowerment mean today? Implications for education and well-being’ on the 15 May 2024. The report was launched by Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General and can be found here: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/what-does-child-empowerment-mean-today_8f80ce38-en

1. What does child empowerment mean today?

2. Child empowerment is high on policy agendas The nature of modern childhood is changing: Children are increasingly seen as competent social actors Research suggests meaningful participation of children can contribute to better outcomes

3. Empowered children have the opportunity and ability to act on issues important and relevant to them, can learn by making mistakes, and are key contributors to democracy. 3 What does child empowerment mean today? A working definition Equity Age and maturity Adults’ roles Choice & willingness Importance & relevance Child rights

4. 4 Perspectives on empowerment What does child empowerment mean to you in your context? Student: We must avoid decoration, confront manipulation and make participation accessible. The impact of “one good adult” should not be underestimated, and the challenge of being the only young person in the room overcome. Teacher: Students must be exposed to real-world challenges, helping them develop cognitive, ethical, social, emotional, and intercultural skills to construct their solutions. Policy: Maintaining equity in a context of ‘wicked’ policy problems requires collaboration and innovative partnerships, including with children and young people themselves. Private sector: Children should be empowered to become creative, engaged and lifelong learners, equipped with the curiosity, creativity and motivation to learn. Changing mindsets, pedagogies and assessments is key. Research: Successful solutions require the people who will be directly affected to be part of the process of creating it. A shift from research for youth toward research with youth offers a great opportunity for empowerment.

5. 5 Key themes and topics Children are no longer seen as future citizens but citizens of today. Their civic and citizenship skills/knowledge can grow with learning opportunities and inclusion in decision making processes. Certain trends in child well-being were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being underpins child empowerment. Interventions tend to require significant time and resources. Critical media engagement can help children develop a sense of purpose and prosocial behaviour . Media education can be one where children contribute with their own lived experiences. Digital inequalities are pervasive and risk undermining empowerment. Provision of digital services, learning opportunities, and support for risk management can help all children reap the benefits of the digital world. Citizens of today COVID-19 and well-being Media engagement Digital inequalities

6. 6 Key themes and topics Children are no longer seen as future citizens but citizens of today. Their civic and citizenship skills/knowledge can grow with learning opportunities and inclusion in decision making processes. Certain trends in child well-being were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being underpins child empowerment. Interventions tend to require significant time and resources. Critical media engagement can help children develop a sense of purpose and prosocial behaviour . Media education can be one where children contribute with their own lived experiences. Digital inequalities are pervasive and risk undermining empowerment. Provision of digital services, learning opportunities, and support for risk management can help all children reap the benefits of the digital world. Citizens of today COVID-19 and well-being Media engagement Digital inequalities

7. Citizens of today: A rationale for child participation Children enjoy it Upholding child rights Policy and societal benefits Benefits for student well-being Children like participating, and tend to be eager and enthusiastic to participate in decision making. Research suggests children want to have a greater say on decisions that affect them UNCRC outlines children’s “participation rights”, including Article 12 “the right to be heard on matters affecting them”. The weight given to their views will vary based on factors such as age and maturity. Participation can reinforce civic behaviours in children, supporting future political engagement. It can also promote social cohesion, and contribute to policy outcomes that are tailored to children’s needs. Participation can promote a sense of belonging in learners, and develop their self-esteem. It also positively contributes to school climate. Authentic forms of participation have been positively related to student well-being.

8. Citizens of today: Examples of child participation in OECD education systems Whole-school approaches Stakeholders, including students, are involved in the school community to work towards a common goal WSAs have been effective in promoting outcomes like improved well-being and reductions in early school leaving Students can be involved from conceptualisation to implementation Community members contribute to decisions on how to spend a particular budget Involving students in these decisions can make budgets more responsive to student needs and can help increase their ownership, transparency and accountability Participatory budgeting Student councils or unions can be found at the school level, or (sub)national level In some countries student bodies are a legal requirement Student council participation in school reform can contribute to success, and can improve school climate Student councils

9. 9 Key themes and topics Children are no longer seen as future citizens but citizens of today. Their civic and citizenship skills/knowledge can grow with learning opportunities and inclusion in decision making processes. Certain trends in child well-being were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being underpins child empowerment. Interventions tend to require significant time and resources. Critical media engagement can help children develop a sense of purpose and prosocial behaviour . Media education can be one where children contribute with their own lived experiences. Digital inequalities are pervasive and risk undermining empowerment. Provision of digital services, learning opportunities, and support for risk management can help all children reap the benefits of the digital world. Citizens of today COVID-19 and well-being Media engagement Digital inequalities

10. Time spent on digital devices at school and mathematics performance Based on students' reports; OECD average Figure II.5.14 Time spent on digital devices at school per day Technology used for learning in school Technology used for leisure at school

11. Feeling nervous/anxious when digital devices are not near Based on students' reports Figure II.5.16

12. Outcomes of feeling nervous/anxious when digital devices are not near Based on students' reports; OECD average Figure II.5.17

13. “Who?”, “what?” and “how?” are more important than “how long” when it comes to the effects of media on children. The digital environment and school are two key spaces where identity formation unfolds for children. Media education which brings in their lived experiences of this journey can empower children. Children’s media engagement: Outcomes, identity and experiences

14. Children’s media engagement: Teachers are key supporting actors

15. 15 Key themes and topics Children are no longer seen as future citizens but citizens of today. Their civic and citizenship skills/knowledge can grow with learning opportunities and inclusion in decision making processes. Certain trends in child well-being were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being underpins child empowerment. Interventions tend to require significant time and resources. Critical media engagement can help children develop a sense of purpose and prosocial behaviour . Media education can be one where children contribute with their own lived experiences. Digital inequalities are pervasive and risk undermining empowerment. Provision of digital services, learning opportunities, and support for risk management can help all children reap the benefits of the digital world. Citizens of today COVID-19 and well-being Media engagement Digital inequalities

16. Digital inequalities: These are consistently high pressing policy challenges

17. Minimising access gaps and promoting digital skills for all students Programmes to increase quality and quantity of available digital resources, including devices and access to broadband, both in school and at home Special focus on advanced digital tools such as AI availability, to ensure no students are left behind Promoting digital skill development in students and teachers through curricular approaches, teacher educatiaaon and extracurricular activities National digital skills strategies and action plans often include children Digital inequalities: Policy goals for an equitable, empowered future Recognising digital risks and how they manifest Pressing digital risks include cyberbullying and exposure to mis and disinformation These risks manifest differently for different student groups depending on factors such as age, gender, special education needs etc. Programmes are often general, and do not target students who are particularly at-risk Targete d programmes can support those most in need of assistance

18. 18 Key themes and topics Children are no longer seen as future citizens but citizens of today. Their civic and citizenship skills/knowledge can grow with learning opportunities and inclusion in decision making processes. Certain trends in child well-being were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being underpins child empowerment. Interventions tend to require significant time and resources. Critical media engagement can help children develop a sense of purpose and prosocial behaviour . Media education can be one where children contribute with their own lived experiences. Digital inequalities are pervasive and risk undermining empowerment. Provision of digital services, learning opportunities, and support for risk management can help all children reap the benefits of the digital world. Citizens of today COVID-19 and well-being Media engagement Digital inequalities

19. Thank you! For more information see: http://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/21st-century-children.htm