YouthEngagement

WhatIf?

ImaginelivinginaCommunitywhereallyoungpeoplewereinvolvedindecision-makingandweresupportedandencouragedbytheadults

aroundthemtobuildskillsandpracticedecision-making.

Whatdoesthatsocietylooklike?Whatdoweneedtogetthere?

Purpose• Whatyouthengagementis• Whyit’simportant• Bestpractices

WhatisYOUTHENGAGEMENT?

• Aprocessofinvolvingyoungpeople• Active• Realinfluenceofyoungpeople

Processvs.Program

• Programs– YouthParticipationisthesimpleactofshowingupandfollowingadesignatedtask

• Process– Youthengagementhappenswhenhead,heart,feetandspiritareinvolved

Head

what they learned from the experience (cognitive aspect)

HeartWhattheyfeltabouttheirparticipationintheexperience(affectiveaspect)

FeetWhattheyintendtodoasaresultoftheirparticipation(behavioralaspect)

SpiritHowtheirexperiencerelatetowhotheyareand/orconnectthemtosomethingoutsideoftheself.

ImportanceofYouthEngagement• Youngpeople’svoiceareheard

• Youngpeopleparticipateindecision-making

• Youngpeoplebecomevaluedstakeholdersofthecommunity

BestPracticesofYouthEngagement

• Assessingorganizationstrength/readiness• Expertiseonboard• Knowledgeableaboutthepopulationbeingserved• Establishingaclearmappingprocess• Useofengagementindicators• Assigningpeopleto– Mapactivity– Carryoutlessons

Tokenism

RealEngagement

Summary• Wedefinedwhatyouthengagementis• Whyyouthengagementisimportant• Touchedonafewofthebestpractices

Takeamomenttothinkaboutthevariousfeatureoftheyouthengagementmodelandwhatyouarecurrentlydoingatyourschool,department,ororganizationtoinitiateand

sustainyouthengagement.

Whatwoulditlooklikeforyouthtobefullyengagedinyourorganization?