o you feel that the world, or even your neighbourhood,
is just too big for you to make an impact? What if you could make a difference, in your community and beyond? One simple way is by making your voice count through a youth advisory council (YAC).
Youth advisory councils are usually made up of young people between the ages of 14 and 24. They work with official institutions or organizations such as the Mayor’s Office and the Red Cross, to provide a young person’s energy and perspective on different issues.
The Métis Youth of British Columbia pose with the official 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics mascots, Sumi, Quatchi, and Miga, in Vancouver.
One YAC in Alberta deals with the most common form of discrimination in schools―bullying. The Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee, along with the provincial government of Alberta, created an anti-bullying Website called b-free.ca. The Website is a safe place where troubled youths can talk and connect with one another, to offer advice or just listen. Since the Website launched in 2006, the Youth Committee has contributed to the site, suggesting updates for engaging features and content and influencing the b-free advertising campaigns. Youth Committee members also speak at different youth-centred locations such as schools, 4-H clubs, and hockey camps. They provide advice about preventing and dealing with bullying in a community.
Youth Committee members know what they’re talking about. Each one has had an experience with bullying. This is why their input is so effective. Holly Strang, who has been a committee member for three years, puts it this way: “We have members who are committed to making a difference in their communities and in their province. But we also know how bullying feels and we can help kids feel like they’re not alone.”
How Do I Sign Up?
Seasoned YAC participants suggest that, when it comes to young people looking for a way to make a difference, their biggest obstacles are self-imposed. They are afraid of trying something new and not being listened to. YAC members say you just have to push past the fear and seize the opportunities.
Their advice? Get started by looking up local YACs in your area. You can find them on-line, in the phone book, and by visiting different community centres or your town hall. Pick what you are most passionate about. If you’re concerned about your local community, join your mayoral youth advisory committee. If you like working on environmental issues, a YAC focused on green living might be the one for you, such as the Environmental Youth Alliance of Vancouver. The important thing is not to let your voice go to waste. Use it now, to influence the future.
Says Holly Strang, “It’s important for peers to help peers, rather than just the big, scary adults talking to us. It makes both the people who are helping and the people that are being helped feel more comfortable and their connection to each other can have a larger impact.”
—Shaughn Davoren, 13, is a member of Métis Youth British Columbia. The youth group, which works closely with the Métis Nation British Columbia, focuses on Métis identity and youth engagement.
Shaughn Davoren’s Full Interview
Name: Shaughn Davoren
Age: 13 Location: British Columbia
Why did you join the Métis Youth British Columbia (MYBC)?
My mom is a staff member of Métis Nation British Columbia (a provincial governing body) and was strongly involved with the Métis Youth British Columbia as well. Her involvement made me want to do more.
What did you have to do to become a member?
First, you have to have Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship. You then have to run for election as a Regional Representative. You must be voted in by the peers in your region to become a member of the MYBC.
How often does the MYBC meet?
Quarterly.
What issues do you discuss?
- Métis Identity
- Youth Engagement
- Sports
- Contests
- Youth Meetings
Why does the committee work so well? What do you think is its
best feature?
There is a structure in place that many other national bodies do not have. You have youth working at the grassroots level to encourage other youth to be involved.
Its best feature is that there are youth at all levels of the governance structure. All programs are for youth, by youth.
How does your opinion count within the committee and beyond?
Community Youth Representatives have a vote at the community level. Regional Youth Representatives have a vote at the Regional Governance Council level. The MYBC Youth Chair has a vote at the Board of Directors level. This allows for the voice of youth to be heard at all levels of Métis Nation British Columbia governance.
Why do you think it’s important for youths to be involved in all sorts of issues,
including discrimination?
Because our opinions count! I'm proud to be Métis! No really, I tell everyone.
Youths have a lot of great ideas to bring forward and provide a different perspective. It’s important that they have the opportunity to speak their minds.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle for youths in trying to make
a difference?
People don’t always listen to us or take us seriously. Many believe that youths are too young to know what’s right. Some of us are young, but many youths are in their 20s and have really strong educational backgrounds that should be recognized. […] When we are asked for our input, we should be heard and respected.
How easily can these obstacles be overcome?
It won’t be easy, but it can and WILL happen. Obstacles will be overcome by youths continuously lobbying for youth engagement in decision-making processes.
What more would you like to achieve? I don’t know for sure, but I think I’d like to stay involved and learn more.
Name: Laura Guadalupe
Navarro Velazquez
Age: 24 Location: Mexico
What inspired you to become a UN youth delegate?
I believe great things can be achieved through co-operation and mutual understanding, in our daily life as well as at an international level. So I decided to study International Relations at university and learn how co-operation and understanding can be used to solve problems at an international level. Through education I became more aware of the problems that young people face all around the world, especially in the developing world.
What did you have to do to become a UN youth delegate?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico releases the application for the UN Youth Delegate program every year, which is open for young people (18–24 years of age) from all over the country. In order to apply for the program, you need to fill in an application, send the required documentation, and present a work on one topic that is significant for young people. Then a panel, composed of different organizations and government offices, selects the best applicants for interviews. During the interview, they analyze the applicant’s knowledge on the United Nations, the General Assembly, and Mexico’s foreign policy, as well as the applicant’s involvement in civil society activities and their community.
For my application, I presented an essay on the International Year of Youth [2010–2011] and the opportunity this represents for young people in my country to be heard and be an active force in our society. This essay, along with my involvement in university and community activities helped me to become the Youth Delegate of Mexico.
Have you met the youth delegates of other countries?
During my participation in the General Assembly, in October of last year [2009], I met the youth delegates of 19 different countries. Prior to meeting everyone in person, we got the chance to start planning activities for our time in the General Assembly by communicating on-line.
What issues did you discuss?
The issues discussed by the youth delegates cover numerous areas of interest for young people all around the world. These issues were discussed and worked on not only during the GA sessions, but also through sessions with the UN Programme on Youth, UNESCO, UNICEF, Alliance of Civilizations, and some diplomatic representatives. Some of the topics we covered included job opportunities for young people, gender equality, sexual identity, access to education, environmental sustainability, access to water, and youth participation.
What issue would you most like to raise?
Access to education and employment opportunities for young people.
How does your opinion count within the UN General Assembly
and beyond?
During the General Assembly, I was able to give my opinion and suggestions to the Permanent Mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of my country about improving the program and experience of being a youth delegate of Mexico.
Within the UN Programme on Youth, the opinions and work of all the youth delegates are reflected in the inclusion of proposals in some resolutions of the Third Committee [The Committee focuses on social, humanitarian, and cultural issues].
Why do you think it’s important for youths to be involved in the social and political issues of today?
It’s undeniable that the social and political conditions faced by young people today will have an impact on the future. Ignoring the problems today will only make them harder to face when we grow up, not only for us but for the generations that are behind us. Also, if we participate in the creation of favourable conditions―economical, social, political, and environmental―when we are young, we develop a sense of belonging and responsibility within our communities (and the world).
What do you think is the biggest obstacle for youths in trying to make
a difference?
I think young people trying to make a difference still struggle to be recognized by governments, not only as a vulnerable social and economic sector but also as partners in change.
What more would you like to achieve?
Right now I’m focusing on finishing my bachelor’s [degree] thesis, and after that I plan on studying [for] a Masters on International Economic Development. I would like to help create favourable and stable economic conditions for the younger generations in my country, so they can have access to good opportunities. And eventually, I would like to continue this work on the international stage.
Here’s how you can make sure your YAC is effective:
Listen inclusively.
Everyone on the committee should feel comfortable
sharing their opinion, and all contributions should be respected. TIP: Don’t allow one person to monopolize a discussion—or another to take a back seat. If people are too quiet, ask them specifically for their thoughts to get them involved.
Speak bravely.
Don’t be afraid of debate. Issues that seem the most
challenging or difficult may turn out to be the most rewarding to resolve. But recognize that even a fair compromise may not please everyone. TIP: Introduce the issue clearly, and let everyone present know that opposing views are welcome.
Recruit wisely.
Some organizations ask members to help recruit other
young people for their YAC. If you’re thinking of inviting friends, consider their skills and personalities. Would they really make a good committee member? If you’re looking for more varied representation (a couple more guys/girls) and you don’t know the individuals well, call them up or arrange a casual interview to get a better sense of their character—and their commitment to the cause. TIP: Skills matter, but so do passion and a fresh voice. A good YAC has a blend.
Maintain boundaries.
You might have a personal experience relevant to
the issue your YAC is working on. Feel free to share if you think it will be helpful but don’t feel you have to. It’s okay to have your own reasons for doing—or not doing—something. TIP: If you have a story directly related to the issues on hand, but want to guard your privacy, present the story as a third-person or hypothetical scenario.
Be realistic.
There may be policies that adults won’t or can’t discuss
within the YAC, due to the age or relative inexperience of its members. It’s best to know what areas you can directly influence through your YAC and what you might be able to work on. If there is a policy you feel you can contribute to, approach the subject in a committee meeting. Explain that you understand why the topic wasn’t raised for discussion, but if people are willing, you have suggestions you can offer. They may be taken into account and lead to more inclusive discussions in the future. TIP: Choose an older member to be your mentor and use his or her experience to learn about what areas you can affect and how to approach the topic in a meeting.
o you feel that the world, or even your neighbourhood, 
One YAC in Alberta deals with the most common form of discrimination in schools―bullying. The Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee, along with the provincial government of Alberta, created an anti-bullying Website called b-free.ca. The Website is a safe place where troubled youths can talk and connect with one another, to offer advice or just listen. Since the Website launched in 2006, the Youth Committee has contributed to the site, suggesting updates for engaging features and content and influencing the b-free advertising campaigns. Youth Committee members also speak at different youth-centred locations such as schools, 4-H clubs, and hockey camps. They provide advice about preventing and dealing with bullying in a community.
How Do I Sign Up?
