Encourage Sustainable dialogue, mutual respect and understanding … benefits of youth participation
Why was this guide developed? For many years, young people have been participating in the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) programmes as peer counsellors and educators. However, the commitment to share decision making powers with young people is relatively new. Now that youth participation is enshrined in IPPF’s Adolescent/Youth Strategic Framework we recognize that there is a need for a toolkit to support Member Associations in their efforts to involve young people at all levels. This guide has been developed to motivate IPPF and Member Associations to make self-assessment an ongoing activity and encourage sustainable dialogue, mutual respect and understanding among young people and adults. We hope that you will use it to evaluate your current position on young people’s participation and find innovative ways of moving forward. Participation is an essential component of our work in young people’s sexual and reproductive health, rights and development – this guide will help you to make young people’s involvement a reality. The terms ‘organization’ and ‘Federation’ have been used throughout this guide to refer to IPPF Member Associations, Regional Offices and Central Office.