A voice that matters: how the Children’s Voices Centre is changing the conversation

At just eleven years old, Mia already knows that her voice can be easily dismissed, especially when it’s harder to hear.

Living in a regional community and navigating a speech disorder, Mia often struggles to be understood. In class, she raises her hand to share an idea, but classmates talk over her. In meetings about her learning needs, decisions are made without her input. Even at home, well-meaning adults talk about her future, rarely pausing to ask what she wants.

This is the reality for many children who face barriers, whether through disability, geography, or socio-economic disadvantage. And it’s exactly why the Children’s Voices Centre at Charles Sturt University exists.

The Centre challenges the idea that children are passive recipients of care and policy. Instead, it recognises them as active experts in their own lives, and seeks to amplify the voices of those most at risk of being left out of conversations that affect them.

Whether it’s supporting children with communication differences, involving young people in research on mental health, or co-designing better support systems for education and inclusion, the Centre ensures that every child, not just the loudest or most confident has a say.

Through community support and donor generosity, the Children’s Voices Centre is working to build a world where children like Mia aren’t just heard, they’re listened to, believed, and respected.

Because every voice matters, especially the ones that take a little more time or effort to hear.

Too often, decisions that directly impact children in areas like education, health, and law, are made without consulting them. Research shows that when children are included in decision-making, outcomes improve. They bring fresh perspectives, deeper engagement, and a clearer understanding of what truly works for them.

“Children are the experts in their own lives, yet they are often the last to be consulted when policies are made that impact them,” says Distinguished Professor Sharynne McLeod, Director of the Children’s Voices Centre. “We aim to change that by ensuring children’s voices are at the centre of research, education, and decision-making.”

Through groundbreaking research, collaboration with schools, and direct engagement with policymakers, the Centre is ensuring that young people like Mia don’t just have a voice, they have a platform to create real change.

How you can be part of this story

The Children’s Voices Centre is working toward a future where children’s insights are valued as essential contributions (and where the human right to communication is the norm).

By supporting this initiative, donors can help:

• Fund research projects that explore what children truly need from education, healthcare, and social services,

• Develop training programs for professionals to ensure child-inclusive practices,

• Create community-driven programs that empower young people to participate in shaping their future.

The work has already begun, but there is so much more to do. If the idea of a world where every child is heard resonates with you, we’d love to talk about how you can be part of making it a reality. Learn more