Executive Summary

In March 2009, the Department of Canadian Heritage held discussions on youth engagement with 100 organizations and 40 youth participants from the Encounters with Canada program.  Discussions focused on understanding what models of engagement are in use, what barriers or challenges exist related to youth engagement, how current federal programs support engagement activities, and the role of Canadian Heritage and/or the Government of Canada in supporting and encouraging youth engagement. Youth and adults from across the country emphasized that youth engagement is essential. It is no longer a question of “why” engage youth, but rather “how.”

Models of Engagement

Although different models were shared, three common threads were repeated:

  1. Participants reflected that it is important to pay attention to process as well as outcome, making sure that youth engagement is valued as an experience, not just as a means to an end.
  2. Participants stressed the value of providing a continuum of opportunities, allowing diverse levels of involvement and various opportunities (or “points of entry”) for becoming involved.
  3. The importance of participating in authentic exchange was emphasized by both youth and adults; effective youth engagement is seen to be a two-way street with youth, adults, and organizations sharing and growing together.

Incentives to Participation

Youth are attracted to involvement that makes a difference, has a cause, or features activities that tap into their passions. Meeting with peers is very important, both spending time with existing friends and making new ones. Gaining educational experience is an incentive to engagement activities, especially for youth-at-risk. Gaining career-building experience is a benefit to youth as well as the sector they are engaged in.

Effective Mechanisms to Engage Youth

Youth engagement practices were diverse but common practices did emerge. The importance of having youth involved from beginning to end (having youth participate in the design, delivery, and evaluation of projects), ensuring youth voice and youth involvement in governance (creating opportunities for youth to contribute to organizational decision-making through things like youth councils), and providing for safe and welcoming physical spaces (less formal, where youth feel ownership and a sense of belonging), were all common themes. Also, providing recognition for youth contributions via honorariums, appreciation activities, or even ensuring that youth received a simple thank-you for their efforts were all highlighted as essential components of effectively engaging youth.

Challenges to Youth Participation

Organizations and youth face challenges to engagement; these relate primarily to resource scarcity, reaching the right young people the right way, and specific barriers faced by organizations.

Experiences with Existing Federal Support

Participants spoke of the strengths of existing relationships with the federal government, such as great programs and the funding which makes things possible. They also spoke of challenges in existing relationships, such as administrative costs, inefficiencies, inconsistent relationships, restrictive funding requirements, and the burden of evaluation.

Roles for Canadian Heritage

Discussions concerning experiences with existing federal support led participants to suggest three roles:

Operating Differently as a Funder

  • Fund programs instead of projects
  • Support youth-led organizations
  • Fund youth engagement (not just organizations that engage youth)
  • Create a simpler, clearer, and broader funding process
  • Recognize excellence through more than just funding (e.g., awards, references)

Developing a Role as Connector and Network-Builder

  • Connect organizations with each other
  • Connect government departments and different tiers of government
  • Connect youth organizations with arts, heritage, and culture organizations
  • Connect to already-existing conversations
  • Inspire communities and organizations to engage youth
  • Mobilize individuals and organizations through advice, guidance, funding, resources, and knowledge related to youth engagement
  • Participate in programs through more site visits
  • Volunteer (within the federal public service) to share expertise with their local communities
  • Communicate about youth engagement information, funding, and research

Building Capacity

  • Educate organizations about evaluation, design programs, and meet funding expectations, as well as provide education around leadership

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