Children are growing up in a time of polycrisis. To ensure the research agenda of the Children's Institute remains relevant and responsive, we are creating a hub to share innovations in theory, ethical practice and research methods. We aim to equip policymakers, practitioners, civil society, children and young people with knowledge and tools to maximise opportunities to address challenges for children and young people’s futures in a changing world.
-
Climate change poses a significant threat to human health and safety, as well as to food and water security, and social and economic development. The impacts on children and their needs must be considered in the development of mitigation strategies.
-
Rapid developments in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are outstripping society’s capacity to make informed decisions about their implications. The general release of AI-powered tools has sparked debates about how such technologies will impact future employment, education, and ethics. These changes present both threats and opportunities that need to be explored from the perspective of children.
-
South Africa is in a process of demographic change and transition. Persistent patterns of mobility alongside rapid urbanisation present further challenges and opportunities for considering spatial development plans, continuity of services and forward-planning for the built environment and social infrastructure to ensure policies and programmes that accommodate children and their families.
Projects
Explore our research and advocacy within this thematic area
Latest
Have a look at key developments in this work