Reimagining bureaucracy? Enhancing the participation of children in vulnerable positions in law-making

Children have the right to participate in public matters. While children’s participation has been widely studied in various fields, its realisation and conceptualisation in the specific context of law-making remains limited and under-examined. Law-making is typically shaped by bureaucratic procedures, which often result in the exclusion of children and young people. However, the growing emphasis on a ‘participatory turn’ suggests that citizens, including children, should be actively involved. This article explores the capabilities lawmakers need to enhance the participation of children in vulnerable positions in legislative processes. The study draws on interviews with 22 Finnish child welfare experts, analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal that both external and internal capabilities are necessary for lawmakers to promote children’s participation. These capabilities include knowledge of children’s rights, practical know-how, and enabling structures. While bureaucracies have their strengths, lawmakers must break free from the ‘iron cages of bureaucracy’ and seek a better balance between bureaucratic processes and participatory practices to ensure the inclusion of children in vulnerable positions in law-making.