Commissioner’s Civics Resources

Postcard packs are sent out in Term 3 each year to every school that has students in the 8-12 year age group. The packs contain a pre-printed postcard that contains a set of four simple questions children are asked to respond to in their own words. They are also...

This is the third report in the Things That Matter series, presenting the responses from more than 13,868 South Australian children who completed their postcards during Terms 3 and 4 of the 2021 school year. Postcards were received from 289 schools across South...

Building on the inaugural Things That Matter report, Things That Matter 2 provides an opportunity for leaders across schools and the community in South Australia to hear directly from a group whose voices are rarely heard: children aged between 8 and 12 years old....

Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that ‘all children and young people have a right to have a say on all issues that affect them and for their views to be taken seriously.’ Fulfilling this commitment can involve a variety of...

Adults make decisions and take actions that affect children and young people’s lives every day. We do this as parents, carers, community leaders, professionals, service providers and elected and appointed public representatives. What we decide and do, colours and...

Committing to providing child friendly and child safe environments for children and young people is not merely something that is ‘nice to do’. It is a requirement under international conventions that are embedded in State Legislation. This means organisations in South...

Children and young people care deeply about their communities andthe world around them. They are frustrated with institutions that do not include them or represent their views, and which fail to take action on public policy issues they believe should be prioritised...

A good education and relevant qualifications are critical to the future of every young person and are vital ingredients to success. Many students say they don’t feel ready to become active citizens when they leave school. They want to be better prepared for life...

Democracy in Action is an innovative civics engagement projectgiving young people practical skills in enrolling and completing aballot paper. DiA was designed by the Commissioner for Children and Young People in partnership with the Centre of Democracy and...

There are people of all ages who openly dislike politics and political campaigns. They begrudgingly line up at the ballot box to casttheir vote in what can feel like an endless cycle of federal and state elections, because they are required to do so by law. But for...

This direct engagement with children and young people in seeking their views on policy, process and practice is at the core of a child rights approach. When their voices and views are amplified and supported by adults who value their participation, then we have the...