Tips To Implement Youth Voice Through A Youthful Advisory Council
Introduction
This guide is designed for organizations that want to involve young voices and input in their practices, activities, and programs. Its aim is to offer tips and recommendations crafted by young people for programs to use to better integrate youth voices and improve youth capacities. The tips and recommendations in this guide may be applicable to general opportunities for youth integration, but primarily this guide focuses on youth voice elevation through a youth advisory council. The guide was developed with input from nine dedicated youth who are committed to improving their communities. This includes four NMRC Youth Advisory Council members and five peer focus group members.
How Did We Define Youth Voice for This Guide?
Youth voice is the perspective, opinion, and experience of young people, often within societal, educational, and organizational contexts. Youth voice advocates for the inclusion of young people in impactful decisions aiming to empower them as active participants and leaders in their communities by effecting change!
How Do We Define A Youth Advisory Council? (YAC)
A youth advisory council (YAC) is a platform created to amplify the voices and perspectives of young people within their communities and organizations. They can be composed of individuals typically ranging from teenagers to young adults (16-24) that hold youth leadership positions.
Benefits of Youth Involvement
Youth Development
Youth involvement in leadership positions can develop leadership skills such as effective communication, active listening, and patience. Opportunities to enhance these skills should be incorporated into the council’s framework.
Tangible Impacts
Being part of a YAC can empower young people to make a tangible impact in their communities. Their perspective and role as council members can help create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective program.
Program Relevance
By involving young voices in programming, councils can make sure that their programs are responsive to the needs of the community and provide the support that young people genuinely desire, rather than what adults assume they want. This approach enables young people to witness the direct influence of their input on the organization, thereby encouraging further investment from the youth.