INTRODUCTORY ESSAY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW... DO ADULTS LISTENING?

The objective of this volume is to draw attention to the importance of educating adults to listen to children and adolescents and by doing so show the principles and context that define the latter’s tangible and intangible rights and the ideals on which they are based. With the aim of reflecting on the difficulties that impede a concrete implementation of the right of children and adolescents to be listened to this work is part of a debate – that never ceases to flourish – in line with the guidelines linked to national and international policies regarding children and adolescents adopting from time to time the point of view of the institutions that deal with these issues. The justification and the reason of the importance of recognising the right of all children and adolescents to be listened to is found in the attempt to redesign the founding principles of a society that, too often, looks at infancy only because it is necessary to reach adulthood (Calaprice 2016a).