A Guide to Local Youth Councils

Engaging Youth Between Elections: A Guide to Local Youth Councils *

*AKA Youth advisory groups, boards, committees, task forces, forums, assemblies or panels

Youth should be involved in political decision-making, but it’s not always obvious how to make sure that happens. One promising practice for engaging young people—the creation of youth councils or advisory groups—is attracting new interest from political leaders in Canada. Constituency youth councils are generally organized by the local office of an elected representative, and provide a non-partisan forum for local youth (both under 18 and over) to meet with their elected leaders and discuss political issues.

But how do such youth councils work, exactly? How are they set up? What impact do they have? In order to answer these questions, Samara spoke with Members of Parliament, constituency office staff, and youth council members to shed light on how to run a successful youth council.

This guide, along with a detailed report published on our website, encourages elected representatives and their staff at all levels of government to consider the best ways to start their own council.1 For those who already have one, we hope these insights invigorate their methods of fostering democratic involvement in youth.

1. Visit samaracanada.com/youth-councils.

Why young people?

Even if youth are less likely or unable to cast a ballot, they’re just as socially and civically engaged as older Canadians, if not more so. Studies find that 15- to 24-year-olds are more likely to volunteer, be members of an organization, and have greater trust in public institutions.2 Youth also participate at higher rates across a range of avenues of politics, activism, and political discussion.3 Young Canadians are ready and willing to participate. But the relationship between politicians and youth needs to be strengthened to bring young people into formal politics and to ensure that decision-makers hear their unique perspectives.

Young People

Why do youth and elected leaders participate in youth councils?

Because they’re interested in politics and seek nonpartisan avenues

To learn about issues that affect youth, and potential responses to those issues

To meet and discuss issues with peers who have different perspectives

To establish dialogue between local youth and their elected representative

To learn new skills and boost their résumés

To identify ways for youth to become involved in the community

Elected leaders

To learn how to communicate effectively with youth, to avoid “speaking past them” To encourage youth to become involved in political decision-making at every level To make politics more relatable by building personal relationships

“I’ve increased my

“I always got the impression that what I said was being listened to,

“I learned more about

communication, volunteer

particularly by the MP, which I

youth priorities and concerns.”

management, event planning

appreciated enormously.”

– Elected representative

and organizational skills.”

– Youth council member 2. “A Portrait of Canadian Youth.” Statistics Canada, Feb 2018.

3. “Message Not Delivered.” Samara Canada, Sept 2015.

– Youth council member

Advice for elected representatives and their staff (from people who have helped create youth councils) Above all, there is no single “correct” way to organize a youth council.

As there was tremendous diversity among the small sample that Samara spoke with, this advice focuses on important principles to uphold and questions to ask.

Be non-partisan Opportunities already exist for youth to participate

With youth members, establish the purpose of the council Are you looking

in partisan activities, like party youth wings and campus clubs. Youth

for advice on specific issues, trying to get the general pulse of the youth or

joined the councils specifically to find an open and impartial forum for

the community, or looking to introduce some young people to politics? These

discussing public affairs. Keep it that way, so more youth can see

objectives are all worthwhile. Being open to a co-designed process with youth

how they fit into formal politics.

will create a purpose for the council that is more valuable to youth and to you.

That said, be honest with youth council members about expectations so they don’t feel misled or disappointed.

Carefully consider the council’s size Be cautious about quickly exceed-

Select an age range according to capacity and objectives Do you

ing the capacity of your staff, as cultivating and maintaining meaningful

have staff who are experienced in working with youth under 18?

relationships takes a lot of time and attention. A dozen young people

Youth under 18 can bring something special to the group, but there

is a good number for a motivated council with a precise action plan,

are logistical and legal ramifications to plan for. Consider whether

while a larger group is more effective for gathering diverse opinions

you seek to prioritize diversity in life experience (i.e. a wide age range)

(but might lack intimacy). Use subcommittees for focused work, and

or to build a tight knit, focused group (i.e. a narrow age range).

consider keeping some continuity in membership from year to year.

Conduct intensive recruitment Recruitment should be active and take

Decide on meeting frequency and be wary of scheduling conflicts

you outside your normal networks. Schools and community groups

If meetings are infrequent or haphazard you will lose momentum.

can be great places to start, but try to find the unusual suspects—

Consider an initial “kickoff” period of more frequent meetings to

the young people who may not be putting up their hands. No matter

establish a plan for the year and for members to get to know each

how diverse the council, remember that it will always be somewhat

other. Set up the schedule in advance with input from members,

self-selecting, and therefore will never replace broader community

staying clear of exam periods.

consultations.

Choose meeting locations that are welcoming and easy to get to

Connect youth members’ immediate issues with larger policy debates

Libraries, community centres, schools, and constituency offices are

Take time to thoughtfully review how young peoples’ personal expe-

good places to meet. If your riding is large and you cannot subsidize

riences are related to systemic challenges or wider policy questions.

travel for youth, vary locations throughout the year or try to find a digital

The goal is to show how political actions have a real impact on

fix. If internet connections are unreliable for video conferencing, allow

peoples’ lives. Pro tip: Help youth to understand the responsibilities

for participation in other ways such as conference calls or sharing

of different levels of government and the basics of the policy process.

written input submitted ahead of time.

This will help them direct their political energy in the future.

Offer opportunities to learn while doing Young people will find council

Provide opportunities for youth to make recommendations to you or

initiatives more meaningful if they have an interactive component,

other elected officials Offer concrete ways for the council to advise

and will appreciate the chance to apply new skills. Community

officials and policy makers, such as feeding into public consultations,

leaders, experts, and local mentors are great resources for equipping

presenting to legislative committees, or producing policy reports that

youth with skills and knowledge to integrate into council activities.

will be shared. If you are tasked with bringing these recommendations

Your office likely has connections to individuals like these in the

to your elected colleagues, be sure to report back to the council on

community.

the feedback you received.

What do councils do?

Some councils are oriented toward community service, while others focus on local research and policy. Their directions are shaped by the interests of the youth involved, in discussion with their MP and constituency office.

Generate or support community service projects, like food drives

Encourage volunteering

Organize conferences and host public dialogue projects, like town halls or debates

Develop policy recommendations and present them to elected leaders

Survey the community to identify constituency concerns

Undertake training in areas like gender-based analysis and public communications

Provide an opportunity to discuss current affairs

Want to read more about the research, including who was consulted? Download the full report at samaracanada.com/ youth-councils.

Run practice Question Periods for youth to share their opinions on a variety of topics

“Although I would have liked for more

“We had some great feedback from

concrete actions to come out of [the council]—like making policy reports,

“At least the MP knew

tracking deliverables, and outlining

where we’re coming

action items—it was personally a great

from as youth.”

experience and inspired me to apply for

– Youth council member

an internship in political affairs.”

– Youth council member

Samara Canada would like to thank the MPs, constituency office staff, and youth council members who contributed to this project.

This initiative is made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between Canadian community foundations, the Government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders from coast to coast to coast.

community members who were present for [the council’s] public dialogue, and new councils have since formed in other organizations in town.”

– Constituency office staff

To learn more about Samara’s work or to make a charitable donation to support our research, please visit samaracanada.com or contact us at 416-960-7926. © Samara Canada 2018