The opinions of children and youth are often left out when it comes to political decision making processes. They don't have the right to vote, and policies that concern education and youth are usually made without involving them - although participation is one of pillars of the UN Declaration of Children's Rights. In our interview on Local Matters, the Ombudsman for Children and Youth Charel Schmit tells us how he sees the progresses that have been made and the issues that still need to be addressed to guarantee the right to participation for youth.