In general, ensuring a good spectrum of gender, race, and class representation in organizing is more effective because groups make better decisions and are better able to reach out to diverse audiences when the group itself is diverse. When there is diversity and buy-in from these groups at the highest Read more…
Engaging youth that do not have easy access to programming, live in rural areas, on-reserve, or that are typically thought of as being ‘at-risk’ (or ‘at-promise’, as we like to say) takes a different approach than doing programming geared towards youth who are easily engaged. Making programs and projects accessible Read more…
University may be the first time people are engaged in social change, and so participants need to be reminded how much space they are taking up in the group. Men need to make sure they are not speaking much more than women and that ideas are being contributed from everyone. Read more…
While social media tools have the potential to create open and inclusive environments, it is important to note that they can also reinforce and lead to unhealthy behaviours such as cyberbullying, isolation, and reinforcing stereotypes. It’s important to realize that one’s experiences are impacted by one’s gender, and this can Read more…
“Nothing about us without us.” -G.J. Strangler and M. Shirk (2004). On Their Own: What Happens to Kids When They Age Out of the Foster Care System. Westview Press. p 260. Youth engagement is a process that offers meaningful participation and opportunities for youth to take responsibility and take leadership Read more…
Youth-Run leadership conference II is a case study that highlights some indicators of success when youth take care of themselves and each other. As the case study highlights, for youth to practice self care there must be: opportunities to celebrate success; others who model realistic and healthy participation; intentional space for Read more…
Youth-Run Leadership Conference I is a case study that highlights the challenges of youth failing to take care of themselves and each other. Often there is an expectation that activists should be ‘rock stars’ who take on as much as they can; there is a fine line between commitment and overworking, Read more…
Youth Empowerment for Civic Engagement is a case study that highlights an example of accessible youth programming. This is an instructive example because it showcases indicators of success including meeting youth where they are at; relationship building; programming informed by those who participate; clear community standards or group norms; adult support Read more…
Where We Fall Short: Challenges in Sustaining Youth Engagement is a case study that highlights the challenges in sustaining youth engagement. Some of the factors that reduce opportunities to sustain youth engagement include: lack of participation needed to sustain the work and a lack of core operational support that makes leaders Read more…
Context The Istanbul Principles for Development Effectiveness are a set of internationally recognized standards developed by the Global Assembly of the Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, a diverse coalition of civil society organizations from around the world. The principles were created through a process of extensive global consultations in 2010 Read more…
