Graphic by Mijide Keeke
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Global Youth Group (GYG) orchestrated an Open House on October 4, 2023, delving into the pivotal realm of Meaningful and Inclusive Youth Participation (MIYP) within the program. This strategic move, driven by insights from the mid-term evaluation, aimed to crystallize a collective understanding and approach towards MIYP, a key priority for the Power to You(th) partnership – to build a shared understanding of the value of MIYP, link and learn about best practices, tools and resources on MIYP and share experiences with each other to build their existing knowledge on the subject, to further strengthen and scale up MIYP in their daily activities.
A Confluence of Minds: Bridging the Gap Between Youth and Adults
Breaking traditional molds, this discussion welcomed both young and adult participants from diverse PtY countries, each bringing their unique expertise to the table – be it advocacy, PMERL, youth engagement, or programmatic proficiency.
Guided by insightful conversations and leveraging a previously co-created definition with Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs), a shared understanding of MIYP emerged:
- Equal Participation Across All Stages: Young people actively engage on equal footing with adults in the organization, influencing every phase of programming and policymaking, from design to evaluation.
- Independent Youth-Led Initiatives: MIYP envisions young people working autonomously within organizations, fostering a culture of youth-led enterprises.
- Leadership Beyond Beneficiaries: Recognizing young people not merely as beneficiaries but as leaders of transformative change.
- Investing in Capacity Strengthening: Organizations must invest in enhancing the capabilities of young leaders to empower and enable youth-driven initiatives.
- Inclusive, Diverse, and Intersectional Engagement: MIYP demands a comprehensive, contextualized approach that respects diverse norms, values, and intersections across countries and contexts.
- Shared Responsibility: MIYP transcends being a ‘youth issue’; it calls for mutual accountability and shared responsibility between adults and young people.
Empowering Change: Adults as Allies
Underlining the role of adults, the event emphasized that meaningful youth participation requires active mentorship, support, and an understanding of the intricacies of MIYP. By investing time in comprehending the ‘what, how, and why’ of MIYP, adults can pave the way for young people to meaningfully contribute, bridging generational gaps and fostering a collaborative future.
In essence, the Open House not only fortified the program’s commitment to MIYP but also set the stage for a dynamic, inclusive, and mutually accountable approach that promises to shape the future of youth participation within the Power to You(th) consortium.