Children and young people have much to offer the community they live in, but are often excluded in decisions and policies that affect their development, as their own opinions are ignored or overruled much of the time. Participatory approaches used in development in the North and South can provide the vehicle needed to include children in the decision-making processes which affect their communities and can have far reaching implications for policies and practice. Stepping Forward presents the key issues and challenges involved in facilitating children and young people's participation. The contributors to this book come from a range of backgrounds including NGO's in development, children's agencies, academic institutions and governments, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to children's participation.