Recognising the responsibility of child rights organisations to understand children’s views and amplifying their voices so they can inform policymakers, legislatures, professionals working with children, and governments, Terre des hommes initiated #CovidUnder19 in April 2020. The initiative brings together a coalition of organisations working to protect the rights of children and includes children and young people themselves.

On 28^th May 2020, the #CovidUnder19 initiative launched the first global survey on children’s views and experiences during the pandemic. This consultation into “Life under Coronavirus” from the perspective of children, seeks to understand their views and how they wish to get involved in responses to the pandemic. The survey was designed by child rights experts and 270 children from 26 countries, under the technical lead of Queen’s University Belfast, with a rights-based approach.  

Until 27^th June, children aged 8 to 17 years old are invited to participate in the survey currently available in 18 languages, with the support of parents, caregivers and child protection practitioners. The results of the survey will feed into advocacy and operational responses to ensure that children’s lived realities are at the forefront of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.