Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Greenland

Abstract This chapter examines how Greenland is implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1 It explores the challenges and opportunities for children’s participation in Greenlandic society on basis of Articles 12–17, which identify various kinds of participation and self-determination rights. While Greenland emphasizes children’s voices, translating these principles into practice is complex due to its unique cultural and historical context. The strong emphasis on community and family aligns with prioritizing children’s participation, but the legacy of colonialism can create challenges. The chapter utilizes a focus group discussion informed by a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach to explore child participation with four children from NAKUUSA, 2 Greenland’s Children’s Advisory Board. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of children’s participation and the need for more inclusive approaches. It suggests creating opportunities for dialogue, empowering children to share their perspectives, and establishing more sustainable frameworks for child participation within Greenland’s social and political structures.