Youth Council Research Articles

The mediated effect of youth council participation on the professional identity development of youth workers

Despite the extensive literature on the benefits of youth councils, the career-specific impact of such participation remains under-researched. Thus, the present study examined whether differences occur in the perceived professional identity of youth workers who participated in a youth council during adolescence compared to those who did not. The study was conducted on a sample of 332 students enrolled in youth work programs in South Korea. Stepwise regression modeling and mediation analysis were employed to identify both the direct and indirect effects of youth council participation on the development of professional identity in youth work. The results indicate that youth council participation has fully mediated effects on professional identity development in youth work, as evidenced by the increased awareness of youth work as a profession, average hours spent as a volunteer youth worker during college, and willingness to choose youth work as a future career. The findings suggest that young people’s professional identity in youth work can grow in youth councils despite the fact that the youth participation organization is neither intentionally designed nor formally structured for the purpose of professional identity development.

Social media use in children and young adults: the Malta experience

Abstract Prof. Jean Calleja Agius MD PhD is Professor at Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. Jean will demonstrate further examples of interventions to make the internet safer for young people, drawing on her experience of collaborating with the Children and Youth Council within the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), which in turn is affiliated with EUROCHILD. She will share the outcomes of initiatives which have been carried out within MFWS and outline recommendations made directly by children and adolescents. More stringent regulation of social media companies will be addressed, as well as the need for other measures to engage children in other healthier activities and empower them to opt for the right choices.

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ОБІЗНАНОСТІ МОЛОДІ ЩОДО ОСОБЛИВОСТЕЙ РЕАЛІЗАЦІЇ ДЕРЖАВНОЇ МОЛОДІЖНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article is devoted to the study of the role of youth in the formation and implementation of state youth policy. The author proves that youth is a powerful «resource» for any state. The further success of all social processes depends on how conscious and active young people are. In March 2024, a sociological survey was conducted among young people aged 14-35, the results of which formed the basis of the scientific article. The main purpose of such a sociological survey is to study the views of young people on possible prospects for participation in the formation of youth policy and their vision of current directions for the implementation of youth policy in Ukraine. The process of forming a questionnaire, developing questions and determining the age category of respondents, which was the main focus of the study, is revealed. It is noted that the questionnaire was created in Google form, which facilitated the process of sending the questionnaire to Viber and Telegram, as well as posting it on Facebook and Instagram. The author lists the questions included in the questionnaire and emphasizes which ones were emphasized. The answers to the questions presented in the questionnaire were analyzed. At the same time, the answers to individual questions that are interrelated were compared. Based on the analysis of the questionnaires, the relevant conclusions were drawn. In particular, the following issues need to be addressed: raising awareness among young people about opportunities to influence state-building processes, as well as about youth councils and youth NGOs; getting young people interested rather than forcing them to do something; ensuring conditions for youth participation by creating youth advisory bodies; holding events and implementing programmes and projects developed by young people; and systematic support for youth work by the authorities.

British Youth Council: five factors for demise of youth voice stalwart

The British Youth Council had been at the forefront of the youth movement for 75 years, but in recent times was unable to weather a perfect storm of internal and external pressures that led to it becoming unsustainable

The meaning of a youth council for suicide prevention: A reflective study with the youth council members

The Youth Council for Suicide Prevention is a group of high school and college students that advise and partner with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center on regional suicide prevention efforts. The purpose of this study was to explore the personal and professional impact and meaning of the youth’s experiences as council members. Stories, interviews, and artifacts were collected to illustrate their experiences on the council. A sample of 12 out of 15 consenting current YCSP members were involved in the design of a storytelling workshop and interview guide, interpretation of data, and member checking of themes. YCSP members reported specific benefits from engaging in the council, including feeling empowered to make community change, having the confidence to have open conversations about mental health, and making improvements to their own mental health. This study offers increased understanding of how youth benefit from community-academic partnerships for suicide prevention and the ingredients that make for successful collaborations.

Competencies of Youth Council on Strategic Planning and Management for Rebuilding Youth Productive Community Services

The study focuses on assessing the competencies of the youth council on planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of youth projects. The objectives of the study were to identify the demographic profile, assess the youth council on strategic management with regards to planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and determine the significant relationship between the profile and the youth council on strategic management. The total population was 95 youths, including 38 females and 57 males, who voluntarily participated in the study with the aid of the descriptive method. The study reveals the common problem of youth was the instrument needed for monitoring and evaluation, and how to sustain youth projects. The LGU and DILG, with the assistance of HEI, must have a memorandum of agreement or understanding to enhance the development plan of the Sangguniang Kabataan on strategic planning and management through the implementation of an extension project on good governance and accountability towards the youth productive community.

Community coherence, collective efficacy and civic engagement in student and youth councils: The mediating effect of community resilience

AbstractThis study examines relationships between community coherence and collective efficiency, and civic engagement, and the role of community resilience within such relationships, as seen in youth council frameworks. The participants included a group of 223 members of youth councils in Israel and a group of 568 non‐members, aged 14–18. The quantitative research tool comprised the Civic Engagement questionnaire; Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure; Sence of Community Coherence Questionnaire; and Collective Efficacy Questionnaire. Positive relationships were found between community coherence and collective efficiency, and civic engagement for both groups, yet community resilience was only a mediating factor in this relationship for the non‐member group.

Realizing Participation Rights of Minority Youth in Conflicted Societies: The Case of Councils Integrating Jewish and Palestinian-Arab Youth in Israel

This study explored the intersection of participation rights, politics, and culture in youth councils operating in a polarized socio-political climate. It drew on the case of youth councils integrating Jewish and Palestinian-Arab youth in Israel. Based on interviews with youth council members, adult leaders, and Ministry of Education officials, the findings portray the interrelated political, lingual, and cultural barriers hindering the participation of Palestinian-Arab youth. These barriers were embedded in top-down activities, practices, and structures, unintendedly importing unequal power relations into the councils. We argue that realizing participation rights in youth councils operating in diverse and conflicted societies requires adapting the councils to their participants, their locality, and the circumstances. These adaptations should acknowledge that youth participation is a multidimensional concept whose implementation is contextual, rely on a willingness to relinquish the common one-size-fits-all model of youth councils and aim to create participation spaces that challenge inequalities and social friction.

Youth Are the Experts! Youth Participatory Action Research to Address the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis.

Adolescent mental health is an urgent global public health issue. Youth participatory action research is an effective strategy to amplify youth voices and can serve as a catalyst for evidence-based action addressing the mental health crisis. To illustrate the benefits of youth participatory action research for informing community health, we describe an ongoing collaboration with a youth council located in the central coast of California, USA. Research methods included an anonymous online self-report survey to gather information about the mental health of high school students in 2020 (n = 176) and 2022 (n = 234), 93% Latinx/Mexican American. Both surveys included a four-item patient health questionnaire to screen for depression and anxiety risk, in addition to scaled and open-ended survey questions selected by the youth leaders based on their research questions. Quantitative and qualitative results indicated a significant but small decrease in mental health risk, and a continued need for resources to access mental health support. Results led to community-based action aimed at improving local youth mental health. The interdisciplinary research team (psychology and public health) and youth leaders share reflections highlighting the innovative, empowering, and transformative impact of youth participatory action research as a tool for improving community health.

Development Contributions of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials: The Case of Cawayan Linuk, Marantao, Lanao del Sur

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), commonly known as the Youth Council, stands as a vital conduit between the youth and the government, symbolizing the acknowledgment of the pivotal role that young individuals play in the nation's development. Positioned as a training ground for future leaders, the SK aims to enhance youth participation in governance. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived development contributions of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials from the perspective of their youth constituents. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The quantitative component employed a cross-sectional survey design, while the qualitative aspect involved in-depth interviews. The study revealed that youth constituents exhibited a commendable understanding of the structure of the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) and the powers and functions of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials. Contrastingly, the findings exposed a concerning gap in the knowledge of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials regarding the structure of the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) and their powers and functions. Furthermore, the study highlighted a significant disparity between proposed programs and projects by the SK Officials and their actual implementation. Considering these findings, it is imperative to recommend stringent supervision and orientation for Sangguniang Kabataan Officials. This strategic intervention aims to mitigate the risk of neglecting responsibilities due to a lack of knowledge. The study underscores the importance of equipping SK Officials with the necessary understanding to fulfill their roles effectively, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to the development of the community and nation at large.

Youth councils in the Baltic countries as a factor of political socialization

Youth councils in the Baltic countries as a factor of political socialization

Empowering the Future: The Sangguniang Kabataan’s Role in Shaping the Lives of Young Filipinos

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) serves as the youth council in the Philippines, providing a platform for young individuals to engage in local governance and advocate for youth interests. This study explores the experiences of Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons in Barangay Kiwalan from 1992 to 2021. Using oral interviews, the researcher gathered insights from Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons and selected local residents for data validation. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of youth leadership and governance at the local level. The study reveals that the Sangguniang Kabataan was established through the Local Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act No. 7160, aiming to facilitate youth participation in governance and empower young Filipinos aged 15 to 30. Over the study period, Barangay Kiwalan saw six elected Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons, each shouldering significant responsibilities. Their experiences varied but collectively served as milestone achievements and foundational experiences for their future endeavors beyond Sangguniang Kabataan leadership. Recommendations include ongoing training and support for Sangguniang Kabataan officials, guidance from Barangay Officials, regular consultations, transparency in transactions, and active participation from the Katipunan ng Kabataan. These measures are essential for enhancing Sangguniang Kabataan performance and fostering community peace and harmony.

Setting the stage for Measurement-Based Care (MBC): Practical Lessons in the Implementation and Integration of MBC within Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

Problem and Context: Measurement-based care (MBC) involves the systematic administration of standardized measures and the use of results to drive clinical decision-making within a therapeutic relationship framework. It is an integral part of youth-centered care and a core standard of integrated youth mental health services. Despite the wealth of evidence for the benefits of MBC in supporting high quality care, the implementation of MBC into routine mental health care is rarely incorporated.
 Who is it for? Youth mental health problems are a growing concern in Canada and globally, causing significant distress, impairment, and negative adult outcomes when untreated. Despite evidence-based interventions, only a minority of youth access and receive adequate treatment, with most youth facing barriers to high quality and effective interventions. To address these gaps, integrated youth service (IYS) models are established globally for youth ages 12-25 and emphasize timely access, youth friendliness, and holistic care, integrate mental and physical health, substance use, education, employment, peer support, and navigation into ‘one-stop shops’. Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is Ontario’s IYS network with 22 integrated service networks in more than 30 communities across the province. MBC is a core component of the YWHO model and is implemented in 22 sites.
 Who did you involve and engage with? A fundamental contribution of YWHO is the inclusion of meaningful youth and family engagement processes in service design, delivery, and evaluation. YWHO has youth and family advisory councils both at the provincial and local levels who contribute to planning and operations, including service planning, governance, training, evaluation, communications, and funding-related decision-making.
 What did you do? This presentation will present the strategies, challenges, solutions, and subsequent adaptations we used to implement MBC within integrated youth services. We will describe the lessons we learned as we confronted practical obstacles around implementing MBC into integrated care pathways.
 What results did you get? MBC lessons learned included: 1. Leadership, service provider, and youth engagement in MBC; selection of measures and when to use measures, integrated data platform and electronic health records, addressing data quality issues early on, preparing for a demanding process of change, establishing support and coaching mechanisms, adapting MBC to a virtual environment, and adapting MBC in non-dominant cultural contexts.
 
 What is the learning for the international audience? MBC has been shown to improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes but it also requires substantial commitment, time, resources, and change management that can make it difficult to implement well in integrated care settings. Despite these challenges, we provide some creative solutions and adaptations within our model of youth-centered care that will inform audiences of how to effectively use MBC to personalize care, and how best to use MBC to engage service providers and youth in monitoring and management of symptoms. 
 What are the next steps? Future directions include continuous learning and evaluation of the implementation of MBC in integrated care settings and identifying the factors for successful implementation.

Disconnected Youth in Urban Areas: Can Youth Councils Enhance Connection to School and Work?

Disconnected Youth in Urban Areas: Can Youth Councils Enhance Connection to School and Work?

The global context of youth engagement: A scoping review of youth councils in municipal government

Youth engagement in policy decision-making can benefit youth and their communities. Youth bodies at the municipal level, in the form of councils, commissions, and advisory boards, are one common mechanism to engage youth. There are numerous examples of municipal youth councils across the globe, yet no cross-county studies that compile the lessons from these efforts. The aim of the present study was to gather and synthesize research pertaining to municipal youth councils in an international context. The study used a scoping review protocol to collect and analyze data on the existence, origin, structure, activities, barriers, and impacts of municipal youth councils. The results show robust examples of municipal youth councils globally, however, there is wide variation in the origin, structure, and activities. Furthermore, there has been little attention to measure policy and community impacts. The study results demonstrate the promise of youth engagement in policy decision-making, but also the need for more systematic research documenting the best practices and impacts of municipal youth councils.

Cultural Diversity and Youth Leadership Development in Nigeria

One of the important characteristics of culture is diversity. This makes every nation of the world a unique entity. Rather than a blessing, cultural diversity has become a tool of oppression, domination, nepotism, injustice, disparity and discrimination in the hands of political actors and influential citizens in Nigeria. In the fight against police brutality that gave birth to a dramatic event tagged “End Sars Protest” on 20th December 2020, Nigerian youths demonstrated unity in diversity. On the contrary, the same youths are major instruments of various secessionist movements and agitating groups such as Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for The Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSON), The Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), and Yoruba Nation. What a paradoxical situation! Against this background, this study focused on youth’s awareness of Nigeria's cultural diversity and its implication for leadership development. The study explored social leadership development theory as a theoretical framework while adopting descriptive survey research design and structured questionnaires to gather information. The population for the study is comprised of the members of the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA) alongside the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). As a result, the study adopted a purposive stratified random sampling method to select a specified number of respondents from each youth organisation within the coalition and National Youth Council of Nigeria. Then, the data collected were analysed by Microsoft Data Analysis Tool Pack and Integrated with Microsoft Excel for easy display and graphical illustration. From the findings, the study recommends that youth organisations in Nigeria should adopt a cultural approach to leadership development in their training schemes. Also, the government of the Nigerian public and private sectors should make a policy of cultural inclusion and create a sensitisation platform to educate people on the uniqueness of Nigeria's cultural diversity.

Political participation of refugee and host community youths: epistemic resistance through artistic and participatory spaces

ABSTRACT The political participation of youth is growing in importance with the proliferation of youth parliaments, councils, and online campaigning. Yet, these sites are not accessible to all youth, especially those from minority, or refugee communities. Activism by these types of youth is often denounced or reduced to dehumanising narratives of their experiences. This paper aims to explore alternative spaces for and political participation of refugees through participatory art and exhibition spaces, which are critical for devising policies for pre-emptive peacebuilding and challenging potential intercommunal conflict. In this paper, we draw on a Photovoice project in Istanbul, Johannesburg and a refugee settlement in South-West Uganda (Oruchinga) that brought youth from FDPs and host communities together to reflect on their everyday experiences. All these sites are marked by increasing anti-refugee sentiments and xenophobia, where the voices of refugees are often denied and misinterpreted, making them compelling cases to elaborate on alternative participation methods and spaces for the political participation of refugees. The paper engages with the idea of epistemic (in)justice and resistance as an overarching condition to explore how the youth developed collective political voices.

Młodzieżowa Rada m.st. Warszawy oraz młodzieżowe rady dzielnic m.st. Warszawy – przykład dwustopniowego systemu partycypacji w społeczeństwie obywatelskim młodzieży

Youth councils in local government units are among the tools for increasing civic participation of young people in their local communities. By acting in a youth council, a young person has a chance to influence his or her environment, gain experience in socio‑political activities, and meet similarly active people from all over Poland. There is great potential in the creation of such bodies, which, if exploited by local authorities, can significantly strengthen future civil society. This article presents the legal and actual framework for the operation of youth councils in Poland and discusses the 2021 amendment to the legislation in this area. It then presents an example of a two‑tier system of youth participation in civil society: the Youth Council of the City of Warsaw and the Youth District Councils in the same city. It presents examples of initiatives taken by the Youth Council of the Capital City of Warsaw and the Youth Council of the Śródmieście District of the Capital City of Warsaw within the last three years.

Collaborating with a Youth Council to Improve Chronic Pain Resources

ABSTRACT Background There is a recognized need to involve people with lived experience of chronic pain when developing chronic pain resources. Aims The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a short-term youth council focused on eliciting youths’ recommendations for key features of chronic pain informational resources. Methods In this mixed methods instrumental case study, demographic data were collected via Survey Monkey®. Select Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® brief measures were used to provide context regarding pain impact within this group. Participants completed an initial interview, which informed youth council workshop delivery. Over two youth council workshops, participants reviewed select informational resources and identified key features of chronic pain resources. Participants evaluated their involvement experience during a second interview. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using directed content analysis. Member-checking occurred during a third workshop, held virtually. Results Seven youth self-identifying as girl/woman or demi-girl participated. The youth were satisfied with the youth council experience, highlighting the importance of meeting others, a relaxed environment, and participating in valuable work. A list of youth-identified key features for informational resources was created through the workshops, which includes considerations for audience groups, content, and presentation. Conclusion Participants’ input into youth council development and meeting others with lived experience contributed to a safe and supportive involvement experience. Youth council involvement supported the development of preliminary recommendations for chronic pain informational resources.

Civic Sovereignty: Indigenous Civic Constructs in Public School Spaces

Context:This study examines how urban American Indian high school students negotiate their civic identities within the settler colonial structures of urban American public schools.Research Question:How do urban American Indian students negotiate civic identities in spaces where civic concepts are taught, such as American history classes in an urban public high school and a Native Youth Council (Native YC)?Research Design:This critical participatory ethnographic study examines the negotiation of civic identity by 11 urban Indigenous students in social studies classes, a Native YC, and a school in Washington State, where the STI curriculum is taught. Safety zone theory and tribal critical race theory were used to understand students’ experiences and their stories from observations, participant interviews, and focus groups, which were employed as data.Conclusions/Recommendations:The study found that the social studies classes and Native YC were zones of sovereignty (ZoS), forwarding survivance and self-determination for Native students. Students learned about the Indigenous civic constructs of sovereignty, self-determination, dual citizenship, tribal self-government, and federal Indian policy inside and outside of school, all of which supported Native students in civic identity development. Recommendations on teaching Indigenous civic constructs to all students as part of teaching for critical democracy in public schools as a component of social studies classes and extracurricular activities are discussed.