In this episode of the THE Connect podcast, produced in partnership with Queen's University Belfast, host Ashton Wenborn speaks with Laura Lundy, professor of children’s rights and co-director of the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s University Belfast, and Deirdre Reidy, assistant principal officer of the Participation, Play and Recreation Unit in the Irish government’s Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. They discuss why it's critical to listen to children's and young people's voices when making decisions that affect them, and how policymakers can better engage with children.