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Lord Layard, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, and author of the influential book Happiness, is to chair the UK's first independent national inquiry into childhood. The Good Childhood Inquiry, managed by The Children's Society, aims to renew society's understanding of childhood for the twenty-first century, with the charity believing that too many children in the UK are experiencing poor childhoods. Recent research has revealed that while we are wealthier than fifty years ago, the well-being of children in the UK is amongst the lowest in Europe, and our young people are experiencing increasing levels of mental health problems. Refugee children, children in trouble with the law, disabled children, and children at risk on the streets, with whom The Children's Society works on a daily basis, are among those most affected by these issues. The Children's Society is also concerned that the current climate of fear and confusion surrounding children is clouding the way childhood is understood today. The charity argues that left unchallenged, society's contradictory attitudes towards children - on the one hand idealising them as angels and on the other demonising them as yobs -will lead to a breakdown in intergenerational relationships. The Good Childhood Inquiry will identify and address important issues that children and young people in the UK face today and make recommendations that will create a new vision of childhood and help us to better respond to children both on a political and individual level. 'Our wealth as a society has clearly not bought us the kind of childhood we want for our children,' said Lord Layard. 'The childhood experienced by today’s children is significantly different from that of previous generations. Our failure to keep up with the reality of children’s lives means that there is a serious problem with the way in which childhood is both experienced and understood.’ 'The Good Childhood Inquiry provides an opportunity to focus positively on childhood, counterbalancing the negative perceptions that we encounter every day. I am delighted to be involved in such an important and ambitious initiative.' The Children's Society is recruiting an independent inquiry panel of key experts and influencers that will include professionals, academics and faith leaders. Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is patron of The Good Childhood Inquiry. The inquiry will benefit from the expertise of Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England, who will sit on the panel. 'I am thrilled to be on the panel of the first ever independent inquiry into childhood in the UK – such an inquiry is long overdue. Children and young people will shape the inquiry’s themes and play an active role throughout. I hope the inquiry will not only show the realities of life for children and young people in the twenty-first century but also lead to real improvements in their lives,’ said Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green. ‘The inquiry is an opportunity to promote a society where children and young people are included, involved and seen as valuable citizens with a positive contribution to make – and I am delighted to be part of it.’ The charity will open a national call for evidence on behalf of the inquiry panel in September so that children, young people and adults can all have their say on what makes for a good childhood. The panel will meet regularly throughout 2007/08 to consider written and oral evidence on a range of themes that will give focus to our thinking on childhood. Interim findings will be available periodically and a final report with recommendations will be published at the end of the inquiry in 2008. 'As a children’s charity we have a responsibility to challenge the misconceptions surrounding children and encourage fresh thinking about childhood. The Good Childhood Inquiry will have a far reaching impact on children’s lives this century,' said Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children's Society. 'The inquiry will benefit the children's sector as a whole. It will complement the Government's recognition that “Every Child Matters” by asking “what matters to every child?” ensuring that the voices and views of children and young people are heard in the ongoing debate about childhood. Lord Layard's evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach will give clear direction to The Good Childhood Inquiry and we are delighted that he will chair the inquiry panel.' Children and young people are helping to shape the inquiry's themes and will be actively involved throughout the initiative. The Children's Society has already asked 10,000 young people what they think makes for a good childhood and the findings will be published in September. ’A good childhood is all about opportunity. The opportunity to succeed academically and socially with an acceptable standard of living,’ said Andy McGowan, aged 18 and a member of The Children Society’s children and young people participation initiative. ‘It is about being protected but not sheltered. Children should be allowed to enjoy themselves without fear of persecution and stereotyping as a result of the misdemeanours of others.’ ‘A good childhood is one in which the child has fun with family and friends and can overcome any problem,’ said Sarah-Jane, a young carer aged 16. ‘People should remember their own childhood and the discrimination they faced and didn't like.’