Children as Change-Makers: Unleashing Children’s Real Philanthropic Power

How can we help children make a difference, allowing them to shape their communities, locally and globally? Drawing on a rich blend of academic research and case studies, Alison Body critically examines societal structures, including education, communities and cultural narratives, that shape children’s understanding of active, philanthropic citizenship.

Children as Change-Makers calls for a reimagining of philanthropy as a form of participatory citizenship, advocating for a philanthropic ecosystem framed by justice, solidarity and collective action. It serves as a roadmap for all stakeholders - from individuals to institutions - to empower children as agents of positive social change, fostering a more just world for generations to come.

Alison Body is Senior Lecturer in Philanthropic Studies and Social Policy and a member of the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent.