Youth Voice
Stages of Youth Voice
Successfully Involving Youth
Youth Focus Group Protocol for ISY
Youth Voice Assessment
Youth Focus Group Tip Sheet
Youth Focus Group Protocol for OSY
Link to Youth Voice Websites
What is Youth Voice?
Youth Voice means the inclusion of young people as a meaningful part of the creation and implementation of a youth system. It means going from doing things to and for youth to working with youth. Youth voice, youth participation, youth involvement, youth leadership are all terms to convey the concept of making youth participants rather than recipients of services.
When youth participate in decision-making with adults, organizations and communities benefit as well as the young people themselves. Young people bring a fresh perspective to organizations. They bring a first-hand knowledge of youth and connections to other young people. Adults experience first-hand the competence of youth and come to understand the needs and concerns of youth. The mutual contributions of adults and youth can bring a new power and energy to organizations. Having youth involved in decision-making may convince foundations and other funding agencies that the organization is serious about promoting youth development. And the youth benefit in terms of increased self-esteem, responsibility, and sense of accomplishment.
