1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«This article critically examines the opportunities created by the child-friendly accreditation program in Quebec for promoting children’s participation. We first situate the child-friendly cities movement and dimensions of child participation. Then, we present the data that informed our study, which included the accreditation process, interviews with municipal staff and councilors, and action research focused on youth participation with two accredited municipalities. Emerging from our study are insights into (a) municipal employees’ perspectives on the usefulness of accreditation, (b) municipalities’ views on children’s participation as reflected in the types of activities promoted, and (c) opportunities for enhancing child participation.» (p. 18)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Interested in the how and why of the accreditation process in Quebec, our case study (Yin 2009) draws on multiple sources of information, including the accreditation dossiers and the evaluation process, interviews with [ten] municipal staff and councillors [from nine municipalities involved in accreditation], and action research projects.» (p. 21)

Instruments :
Guide d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu

3. Résumé

«This study suggests that child-friendly accreditation brings awareness and sets the stage for valuing and actualizing child participation at a municipal level.» (p. 27) Initially, «interest in receiving child-friendly accreditation is largely utilitarian. […] Most significantly, child-friendly accreditation serves as an important marketing tool for attracting young families.» (p. 22-23) Despite this, and the fact that municipalities’ «understandings of child participation tend to be constrained— limited to one-off events and procedural consultations—our study shows that starting from such a base may be a realistic way of moving child participation forward, given the enduring vision of children as primarily users of municipal services and facilities. Preparing an accreditation dossier that requests municipalities to account for their actions in the area of child participation creates an impetus for doing things differently, opening the door to changing practices towards a greater recognition of children’s right to participate.» (p. 27)