| Moving
Upstream: Talking with Leaders of Tomorrow |
Session
summary
(Click on the image for a larger view)
A graphic representation of the session by
Sara Heppner-Waldston of Painter-Girl.com
Youth are engaged not only through conversation
but also through action. It's a good idea to start with
the school system, with kids and their parents, including
them in the message you want to get out. Providing subsidies
for conferences such as this one, so youth can participate,
is a good start.
No one listens to poor and marginalized youth:
 When people become
marginalized they don't feel their presence is valued
As well, it can
be very hard for youth in poverty to talk about it
It's very empowering
to be listened to, but it's a big challenge for young people
to speak up and be heard
Mentors are valuable
in boosting young people's confidence, in building leadership,
and in encouraging young people to find their voice and
to speak up
The symbolism of having successful, empowered
young people, particularly young black men, is important.
At the same time, nobody likes to feel like a token. When
you want to include young people, you must adapt:
You have to take
the time to create an environment which welcomes youth
To do this we need
to break down silos between age groups and sectors
It can take time
to merge the attitudes and philosophies of the various groups:
it's taken fifteen or 20 years to arrive even at this point!
Panelists
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Sonia Dong
Program Director, Citizens' Environment Watch (CEW)
Quote:
"It's not just people who are more experienced
who should believe in us, but we should believe in
each other."
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Simon Lalande
President, Interim Council, Assemblée de
la francophonie de l'Ontario
Quote:
"It
is necessary to consult more than one youth to do
a "youth counsultation". Otherwise, that
is a large burden to carry..."
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Kehinde Bah
Children and Youth Program Associate, Laidlaw Foundation
Quote:
"When people become marginalized they don't
feel there's any place where they are being listened
to - they feel empowered when they feel everybody
is listening to them. "
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