The Freechild Project Guide to Youth Involvement in Decision-Making

Introduction

A lot of youth-focused programs are run by adults. They plan the curriculum, recruit the young participants, facilitate the activities and evaluate the outcomes. There are a number of problems with running programs without the insight and direction of those who are most affected: children and youth themselves. Keeping "in touch" with the needs of young people means more than reading reports or listening to a youth panel at a conference. Anytime adults are charged with managing programs for children or youth they must take steps to interact with young people in new and different ways; every time a program or the young participants change these ways must change, too.

The Freechild Project Guide to Youth Involvement in Decision-Making is a simple, easy-to-use tool for adults and young people who want to change the roles children and youth have in the places that effect them the most. This includes community organizations, schools, foundations, government agencies and religious organizations. As a short web-based resource, this Guide shares resources from across the Internet.

Resources

InvolveYouth: A guide to involving youth in decision-making. City of Toronto.

Brown M, Clayton-Davis J, Jacobs R, Love J, Wilson B, Word E. (1996) "Involving youth in decision making and development of HIV prevention programs: the Nashville Prevention Marketing Initiative." International Conference on AIDS.

Okojie, C.E.E. Youth participation in decision-making in Sub-Saharan Africa. United Nations. [PDF]

Bernard, H. (2001) The Power of an Untapped Resource: Exploring youth representation on your board or committee, Association of Alaska School Boards.
This handbook is based on youth experiences and suggestions and provides a list of basic criteria for creating an effective board that includes youth representation. It addresses topics such as how to prepare boards for youth involvement, choose representatives, address legal issues, recruit youth, and educate youth members. It also includes a checklist for adults and youth.

Checkoway, B. Adults as Allies. University of Michigan.
This workbook focuses on sensitizing adults on the benefits and necessity of youth participation in community action. It provides information on assessing the assets of youth, essential elements of youth development and checklists for adults and children to respect each other and work together.

Michel, E. and Hart, D. (2002) Involving Young People in the Recruitment of Staff, Volunteers and Mentors. National Children’s Bureau.
This is a practical resource pack for organizations wishing to involve young people in the recruitment of staff, volunteers and mentors. It is particularly useful for agencies providing social care services to children and young people, such as residential child care and mentoring for care leavers. It can also be adapted for use by schools and health care providers who want to develop children’s
participation.

NSW Commission for Children and Young People. (2005) Taking Participation Seriously. New South Wales Commission for Children and Young People.
Taking Participation Seriously consists of six booklets that provide comprehensive information and practical tools for involving youth in decision-making processes. ‘Sharing the Stage’ explores the idea of youth participation and looks at five key elements that are necessary for effective participation in decision making. It includes practical ideas and examples of what has worked for other organizations. ‘All aBoard’ looks at why and how organizations can involve children and young people on agency boards and committees. It provides information on the recruitment, roles and responsibilities, induction, supporting young people before and after meetings and on making meetings fun.

Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner for London. (2001) Advisory Board Handbook. OCRC.
The Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner for London was a fixed-term voluntary project that promoted the full implementation of the CRC and making London a child-friendly city. This handbook was compiled based on the work of 24 children and young people in an advisory board. The advisory board members were recruited and trained to work in partnership with paid adult staff members, help make decisions, contribute their expertise and make sure that a project remained child-focused.

Shepherd, Z. (2001) At the Table: Making the case for youth in decision making. Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development and National 4-H Council.
This research report presents the findings of a study involving 15 organizations that involved youth in decision-making processes. It describes the nature of participation and its impact on the organizations and on children. The study concludes that in addition to promoting adolescent development, young people’s participation often has powerful and positive effects on adults and
organizations.

Youth on Board. (2006) 15 Points: Successfully Involving Youth in Decision Making. Youth on Board.
This 220-page guide to youth involvement is a starting point for preparing young people to take ownership of their communities. It includes guidelines, worksheets, a resource directory and stories from the street. The guide is designed to help young people and adults work together to improve their communities.