Introduction [Participation, Facilitation, and Mediation]

In this book, the meanings and conditions of children and young people’s participation are introduced and discussed both theoretically and empirically. In particular, the book accounts for theories and research regarding the promotion of children and young people’s participation, highlighting the importance of facilitation and mediation in promoting participation. In what follows, we shall introduce issues dealt with in the book chapters according to a methodological order, discussing fi rst the possible ways of researching (conditions of) participation and then the meanings of social contexts/relationships, facilitation and mediation.