Picture this: A storm is brewing over a small coastal town. The winds are picking up, and dark clouds signal an incoming flood. As emergency responders prepare for action, a group of children in brightly coloured vests gather at their school. They’ve been trained in disaster preparedness and know exactly what to do. They check their flood maps, mark safe routes, and inform their families and neighbours. Thanks to their efforts, the evacuation runs smoothly. These children are playing an active role in keeping their community safe.

In recent years, the Baltic Sea Region has faced many challenges, from climate change and pandemics to military conflicts. Disasters can happen anywhere, and the most vulnerable groups, including children, often suffer the most. Traditionally, children have been seen as those who need protection. When we think about disasters, we usually imagine firefighters, paramedics, and officials working tirelessly to save lives. However, research and experience show that children can bring meaningful impact. They can learn how to respond to emergencies, help their families and communities, and come up with creative solutions that adults might not think of.

There is an increasing recognition that children and youth can bring real and necessary contributions to building inclusive and resilient societies. In Lithuania and Latvia, schools have added disaster preparedness to their lessons, teaching students how to act and stay safe during emergencies. In Estonia, children have helped spread awareness about cyber risks, an increasingly important issue in today’s digital world. In Poland, students take part in fire and earthquake drills, leading their classmates and making sure everyone knows what to do. In Finland, children are involved and trained already from pre-school, using storytelling, animations and games. Older children participate in nationwide campaigns such as “No Worries!” which includes lessons and competitions, and “The Red Chalk” which focuses on traffic safety.

Involving children in disaster preparedness has positive effects. Research[1] has concluded that children who participate in disaster preparedness activities feel more secure, understand risks better, and gain a stronger sense of control. In a study conducted by CBSS[2], children expressed that trainings should not only focus on practical survival skills but also on psychological resilience since managing stress and maintaining emotional well-being are crucial during disasters.

Involving children in disaster preparedness can also have empowering effects. When children take part in these activities, they can develop a sense of responsibility and connection to their communities. Their self-esteem grows, and they feel empowered to make a difference. Many children express their motivation to participate as a desire to help others and contribute to society. This empowering effect is widely recognized. Plan International describes a child-centred approach to disaster risk reduction as a way to help young people make informed choices and develop behaviours that lead to a more sustainable and resilient society.

But the benefits are not just for children themselves. Young people offer fresh perspectives that are not limited by past experiences or traditional ways of thinking. Their creativity and open-mindedness allow them to imagine innovative solutions that adults might overlook. Despite these benefits of including children in disaster preparedness, children’s participation remains one of the biggest gaps and challenges in the field. The Sendai Framework midterm review, along with a survey conducted by CBSS in the Baltic Sea Region, highlights this issue. What is the reason for this?

One major barrier is the deeply rooted ‘adultist’ mindset that prioritizes expert opinions over children’s voices. Many adults believe that children are too young to contribute meaningfully. Even when young people express their opinions, they often doubt that they will be taken seriously.  Another barrier that impedes meaningful participation in disaster preparedness is the lack of time, both for children and adults. However, in a study by CBSS[3], the most significant barrier was a lack of knowledge and awareness among adults. Even when decision-makers and professionals show interest in listening to children, they often don’t know how to integrate their perspectives in a meaningful way.

To address these challenges, CBSS and its partners have developed a child participation mechanism in disaster risk reduction activities. This tool provides guidance, resources, and real-world examples to help authorities and experts involve children in practical ways.

More information is available at https://cbss.org/securekids/

However, as long as we, the adults, are not willing to shift our perspectives, guidelines and educational measures won’t suffice. The first step to meaningful, ethical, and safe child participation in disaster preparedness is stepping outside traditional frameworks and embracing the idea that children are not just victims but valuable contributors in their own right. Only by listening to and empowering young voices can we build stronger, more resilient communities for the future.

Author: Vineta Polatside, Senior Adviser, CBSS Secretariat 

[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5316128/pdf/bet-5-001.pdf or https://www.preventionweb.net/files/3820_CHLDRR.pdf

[2] https://cbss.org/2023/01/14/report-on-the-role-of-children-and-youth-in-building-resilient-societies/

[3] https://cbss.org/2023/01/14/report-on-the-role-of-children-and-youth-in-building-resilient-societies/