What is “Youth Voice?” – Youth Voice – Standards of Practice

What is “Youth Voice?”

When we say “Youth Voice,” we refer to the practice of centering young people’s identities, interests, needs, and perspectives in decisions that affect their learning and lives. This requires supporting youth in positions of genuine leadership and power over those decisions.

Youth have unique skills and perspectives that can facilitate transformative changes in our learning environments and communities. Youth Voice benefits everyone.

Listen

Validate and act on feedback when appropriate.

As an adult, don’t assume your knowledge or opinions should be prioritized in youth spaces.

Self Educate

Be willing both to do internal work and take meaningful action.

Supporting youth voice as an adult requires deep, long-term learning about adultism and other forms of systemic oppression that youth experience.

Advocate

Use your power to lift up youths' perspectives and needs.

In spaces that are currently less accessible to youth, use your power to lift up their perspectives and needs.

Youth Organizing

Youth organizing involves youth-led action for social change.

Youth organizing involves youth-led action for social change built on a strong foundation of power analysis and support.

Connectedness

Foster sense of self, identity, and community.

Create an environment that nurtures self-exploration in conjunction with community-building.

Purposeful Leadership

Create meaningful youth leadership opportunities.

Fostering youth leadership requires building capacity, skills, and confidence by supporting young people as decision-makers and problem solvers.

Let Go

Let go and trust youth.

Demonstrate trust in youth by letting go of your own assumptions, expectations, and power.

Partnership

Work with youth as partners.

Work in partnership with youth to create a shared plan.

Tailored Support

Support youth in ways you’re asked to.

Take tangible steps to support youths’ interests, goals, and needs.

Trusting Relationships

Build trusting relationships with youth.

Foster mutual respect, direct communication, learning, and cultural awareness in your relationships with youth.

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