Their environment, their voice : planning as a way to engage youth in their communities

In order for change to occur, it is important for youth to take part in issues in their community which can have direct impacts on youth themselves. Youth are great sources of information and have a unique way of viewing their surroundings and environments in ways adults simply cannot. However, because children are not considered adults, their voices and opinions carry less agency. This Professional Report argues that planning can be used as a tool children can use to be more involved and active in their community as well as their communities’ decision-making processes. Planning has the potential for “…effective youth development practices [that can] engage youth in active roles, viewing them as community resources rather than as passive recipients of services” (Campbell, Lamming, et. al., 2008). To support this argument, a case study method is used to analyze three different organizations that use planning in different ways to engage youth in their built environment. The case studies will be assessed using four qualitative indicators - training methods and curriculum, youth engagement, diversity of projects, and environment - and by looking at the different organizations through the Positive Youth Development Framework to determine whether the structure of the programs are truly encouraging youth to be involved in the community and the extent of their involvement. The purpose of this report is 1) to illustrate the value of involving youth and viewing them as an important part of their community and 2) to understand strategies regarded as successful currently being used by a set of planning programs for youth that might be replicated.