Abstract
What happens when the adults in the environment of the child are unable to provide for their needs? This paper is a interdisciplinary analysis of the right of the child to participate an an essential part of ensuring their well-being. Participation is claimed to be amongst the most effective means to achieving the rights of the child. As both a principles and a right in itself, participation recognizes the importance of children as 'beings'. In their role as agents of change, the child become responsible to its rights. For the realization of the child participation the school is recognized as the ideal space for social action is needed when a human-rights based approach is applied.