by Leon Andrews

September 1, 2010

Can City Leaders Provide More Authentic Opportunities for Youth Engagement in Local Government?

Yes. However, municipal officials must first make an intentional decision to welcome youth participation in the work of their city or town. While the idea of giving youth a genuine “seat at the table” might sound fairly straightforward, it often requires a change in attitude and a recognition that youth voices can help local leaders make better decisions and policies. Too often, so many of us are hindered by the way we make assumptions about the abilities of youth and the value of their input. For instance, many view young people simply as recipients of what adults have to provide or teach them, rather than problem-solvers and potential contributors to their communities.

These myths are often dispelled when adults see evidence that youth can add constructive ideas to the local decision-making process. Early successes generate additional opportunities for youth voice until there is a gradual but perceptible shift in local leaders’ attitude toward youth involvement. So, the question for many communities is, “How do we get there?”

A new guide for municipal leaders on Authentic Youth Civic Engagement published by the National League of Cities offers a framework – complemented by numerous tools, examples, and resources – that will be helpful for cities and towns that want to create an atmosphere where youth are no longer seen but not heard, that breaks past traditional assumptions of the role that youth should play in their communities.

Under this framework, young people…

• are seen as valuable participants in the work of local government;
• are prepared to take on meaningful roles in addressing relevant issues; and
• work in partnership with adults who respect, listen to and support them.

Authentic Youth Civic Engagement (AYCE) invites young people to participate in the democratic process through meaningful roles in public policy, planning and decision-making, which can lead to improved outcomes for youth and the community and development of the youth as leaders today and for the future. AYCE thrives in a climate of reciprocity and respect where young people, in partnership with adults, are prepared and supported to tackle relevant issues and effect change.

The AYCE framework presents four critical elements for a successful initiative:

A Setting in which the civic climate of the community is welcoming and inviting to youth, acknowledging their role in public policy, planning and decision-making.

A Structure in which the organization and system that supports AYCE meets both the needs of the local government and the interests of the young people.

A Strategy that offers a wide range of activities and provides youth with a breadth and depth of meaningful opportunities for participation in local government.

Support from adult allies, both within and outside local government, which enables the young people involved in AYCE efforts to have a real impact on issues that concern them.

Is your city or town taking steps in these areas and building a community where youth voice in the civic process is valued? The report offers examples of cities that are doing well in one or more of the elements listed above. But, is it achievable to have all four elements in place? What will it take for a community to get there?