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Youth participation
Youth participation
Effective youth participation is an integral part of the Ministry of Youth Development's (MYD) work programme and the positive youth development approach outlined in the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA).
 Principle Five of the YDSA states that YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IS TRIGGERED WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE FULLY PARTICIPATE.
The principle calls for government agencies and non-government
organisations to give young people opportunities to have greater
control over what happens to them, through seeking their advice,
participation and engagement.
Youth participation as a right
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) also
states that all young people have the right to participate.
Signed by New Zealand in 1993, UNCROC applies to all young people under
the age of 18. It recognises their rights to express their opinions,
have their opinions considered in decisions that affect them, and to
seek, receive and give information and ideas of all kinds.
One of MYD’s responsibilities under UNCROC is encouraging children and
young people's participation in the UNCROC work programme.
Youth participation at MYD
MYD has three youth participation advisors whose role is dedicated to
the implementation of effective youth participation throughout New
Zealand. MYD’s youth participation projects are concerned with
involving young people in decision making in society.
Keepin' it Real workshop (see sidebar link)
The Keepin’ it Real workshop is a one-day practical training on youth
participation aimed people working with young people in communities
around New Zealand. It is complemented by a guide called Keepin’ It
Real: A Resource for Involving Young People that MYD launched in 2003.
Aotearoa Youth Voices
The Aotearoa Youth Voices section of our website houses our youth participation projects. They are described briefly as follows.
Youth advisory group
MYD's youth advisory group is about representing a youth perspective,
being heard on youth issues and getting involved in some of MYD’s youth
participation projects. The group is being piloted in Wellington in
2005.
PROVOKE
The aim of PROVOKE is to provide an effective youth participation
project that provides a two-way communication and knowledge transfer
between young people and MYD. This project is directly supported by
MYD’s youth participation advisors.
Youth Parliament
Youth Parliament has been held every three years since 1994. It aims to
help young people understand and actively participate in parliamentary
processes and give them the opportunity to have their views heard by
key decision-makers and the general public.
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