Abstract

Currently children’s needs, perspectives, and rights are not adequately included in public policies, with negative consequences for the health and wellbeing of children and future generations. The 2020 WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission reviewed threats to children’s health and concluded that children’s needs and voices should be centred in all policies for a sustainable future. Since 2021, Children in All Policies 2030, a global collaboration of policy makers, scientists, and advocates, has implemented the Commission’s recommendations by fostering new approaches to participatory, intersectoral policy making across diverse countries. Efforts to implement the Commission’s recommendations encountered challenges including flawed assumptions in prevailing policy-making models, failure to fulfil children’s right to participate, and an ongoing scarcity of intersectoral policy integration. Eight lessons on what works for improving policy making and implementation emerged: use creative means to involve children, patiently assemble coalitions, prepare to seize political opportunities, harmonise global data to bridge UN partnerships, create national political and technical platforms, use media to change cultural perceptions, use strategic framing to overcome sectoral barriers, and embrace joint learning. Harnessing people’s consideration and concern for children and future generations and engaging children’s voices represents a powerful political opportunity to reach current development goals and ensure a healthier, more sustainable future.