Ontario seeks youth input on Youth Policy Framework

The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services is developing a new Youth Policy Framework to guide its work in youth development, and the Ministry's Youth Development Committee is seeking input from young people through its "Where's Your Voice At?" campaign. Young people in Ontario can participate through an online survey, online dialogs or in-person dialogs being held all over the province between now and June 12.

Local youth-serving organizations and youth groups can also host their own youth dialogs using the ministry's "workshop in a box," which includes a policy literacy toolkit and PowerPoint presentation, a set of dialog questions and related activities, and a participant workbook.

The downloadable resources--especially the policy toolkit--are great resources that could be adapted by other organizations and agencies seeking to involve young people in guiding policy, whether in youth development or any other area.

Where's Your Voice At?

InvolveYouth, Toronto

InvolveYouth is a campaign launched by the City of Toronto, Ontario, in January 2004 to encourage community-based organizations to involve young people in decision-making. The campaign includes a major citywide advertising campaign as well as training sessions for organizations interested in youth participation.

InvolveYouth has developed a guide to involving youth in decision-making called "InvolveYouth: A guide to involving youth in decision-making." You can download a PDF version of the guide, order a hard copy and check out some of InvolveYouth's workshops on the City of Toronto website.

2009 Global Youth Assembly in Edmonton, Ontario, July 30 to August 2

From July 30 to August 2 over 500 young people from over 34 countries, between the ages of 16 and 28 will participate in the 2009 Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly (GYA) in Edmonton, Ontario, Canada. The GYA will include a youth dialogue with Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean and general sessions such as "Action is Hot, Apathy is Not: Politics & Building Community," with a panel of young politicians and others who will discuss the importance of participating in politics and how to get involved. The GYA will also include workshops, such as a presentation by the Edmonton Youth Council and another on local economic development--including the role of youth--presented by the Ainembabazi Children's Project from Uganda.

The Youth Dialogue is one of a series of such events hosted by the Governor General across Canada. According to Governor General Jean's website she shares with decision-makers the ideas and perspectives she hears from young people in these sessions.

Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly

Governor General's Youth Dialogues