Youth Voice Toolkit
Youth Voice Tip Sheet
By Adam Fletcher
The Freechild Project believes -
and this website is meant to show - that young people are
powerful contributors to social change around the world. But
when was the last time you heard their voices? Honestly
sat down and listened to youth and heard what a young
person had to say? Here are some tips about Youth Voice today,
written by youth and adults for adults. For more information and
resources, visit our Resources for Adults
What Is Youth Voice?
Youth Voice is the perspectives,
ideas, experiences, knowledge, and actions of young
Youth voice doesnít mean talking loudly or
be heard, and it is not about drowning out other people's
voices, including adults. Youth voice is about considering
the perspectives and ideas of young people, respecting
what everyone has to say, taking risks, listening,
sharing, and working together.
How Can I Listen to Youth Voice?
You really want to listen to youth voice? Then start by
looking inside yourself. Before you go listening to youth
voice, ask yourself these questions:
Who am I?
Where did I come from?
What do I stand for?
What do I stand against?
Then look at the young people around you. Where
are they from? What do they stand for? What do they stand
against? If you don't know the answers to these questions, then
go ask those young people - and ask sincerely, and ask honestly.
If young people know what they believe, then they will tell you.
If they don't know, then you can support them by facilitating
opportunities for them to discover. But don't make up your mind
beforehand - that's the important part.
Is That All It Takes?
Voice" is not the best
title. There is no such thing as one single Youth
Voice. The voices of young people are infinite, like the
universe, with an infinite amount of stars, each burning a
different way. Young people have a lot of different
identities, each representing their different communities,
their cultures, and their heritage. It is the
responsibility of adult allies to hear their voices, in
all of their diversity. When many people say "Youth
Voice", they are attempting to put all young people into
the same boat. It is the responsibility of adults to
acknowledge that every youth is a unique individual.
Who Should Listen to Youth Voice?
When youth voice is engaged in communities, schools, and
organizations, young people
grow more capable, effective, and powerful than we have ever
imagined. They enhance their
academic skills with ďreal worldĒ experience, learn leadership
and citizenship skills and the importance of helping and working
Just as important, adults grow more energized, creative, and
insightful. Their work becomes more responsive, and their
hearts become more engaged. Sharing responsibility
of community building lifts the weight of working alone.
In our communities, young people
are viewed as problem solvers rather than problem makers. When
young people help make decisions, programs are more likely to
meet their needs. And when young people are part of the process
they feel ownership, mobilize others and become powerful role
models. Most importantly, youth voice unites people to work for
improved communities and schools.
What Does Youth Voice DO?
In communities, schools, small towns, and cities
across the United States and around the world, Youth Voice is
changing society, economies, the environment, and more. Youth
Voice engages children and youth as...
The issues young people are addressing through
this action are just as diverse as the actions they are taking.
Find a really comprehensive list
"Youth voice is typically
not something you either have or don't have in your
agency, organization or community... The goal for
establishing meaningful roles for youth and insuring that
they have an important voice in decision-making is not to
get to a state of 100% self-management, that is simply a
logical extreme and one option within many different
levels of involvement and effective use of youth
engagement and voice."
How Can I Build Youth Voice?
DO speak up!
DO invite adults to share
skills, experiences and resources.
DO commit time and energy to do
DO take responsibility
DO seek to involve other young
DONíT assume all adults will
treat you like your parents treat you.
DONíT over commit yourself.
DONíT forget to ask questions.
DONíT forget that you ARE a
DO involve young people in the
decision-making from the very beginning (before its too late
for them to be a part of meaningful change).
DO include as many young people
DO listenÖ really listen to
young people and be willing to learn from them.
DO provide young people with
the information, training and support they need to succeed.
DO plan meetings where everyone
DONíT blame all young people
for the actions of one young person.
DONíT ask youth to attend your
meetings and then ignore the ideas they give to you.
DONíT invite youth for image
DONíT schedule meetings at
times when youth canít participate: during school, late at
DONíT use youth as a ďstamp of
approvalĒ (showing them a completed project and asking them to
tell you they like it).
Where Do I Begin?
stereotypes, judgments, and preconceptions of others.
resources: what already exists? Who can help you?
listen up! Effective communication begins with listening and
setting stereotypes aside.
jargon and slang!
interactive activities that break through tension and age
something! A crucial building block for bringing people
together is through concrete action.
meaningful and challenging opportunities for youth and adults
to serve in the community.
youth and adults for their efforts!
word! Tell others about your experiences creating youth-adult
2008. Adam Fletcher owns the copyright
for this material on behalf of The Freechild
Project. You are welcome to print out
this material for educational purposes
only - you cannot make any financial
gain from them without the explicit
permission of the author. You may not
photocopy any part of this material
without explicit permission of the
author. For more
information write info [at] freechild.org