During a spring 2016 meeting of the YouthPower Youth Engagement Community of Practice, group members brainstormed answers to the question, “What are the key components of youth engagement in programs?” Meeting facilitators took notes and identified key themes from the discussion. These themes were then presented back to the full Community of Practice for comment. The following recommendations synthesize these contributions and are presented to support the wider youth-serving community
The YouthPower Youth Engagement Community of Practice defines meaningful youth engagement as:
Define what Meaningful Youth Engagement looks like for your Program Meaningful youth engagement recognizes and seeks to change the power structures that prevent young people from being considered experts in regard to their own needs and priorities, while also building their leadership capacities. Youth includes a full spectrum of the population aged 10-29 regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic identity, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, political affiliation, or physical location. Meaningful youth engagement is an inclusive, intentional, mutually-respectful partnership between youth and adults whereby power is shared, respective contributions are valued, and young people's ideas, perspectives, skills and strengths are integrated into the design and delivery of programs, strategies, policies, funding mechanisms and organizations that affect their lives and their communities, countries and globally.
Meaningful youth engagement recognizes and seeks to change the power structures that prevent young people from being considered experts in regard to their own needs and priorities, while also building their leadership capacities. Youth includes a full spectrum of the population aged 10-29 regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic identity, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, political affiliation, or physical location.
Every youth-focused program, project, or strategy needs to have a vision for what youth engagement looks like. Because power structures have historically limited youth participation, they have been treated only as beneficiaries instead of partners. In order to overcome this, programs need to consciously shift their mindset. The role and purpose of youth engagement should be clearly defined and come from a shared philosophy that values the mutually respectful relationship that underlies positive youth engagement. This vision should be cocreated by supportive adults and youth themselves. Specific opportunities must be made available for youth to engage, and that engagement should be allowed to expand over time.