What is Youth Engagement?

Youth engagement is a community empowerment approach. Youth engagement is about young people being actively involved in addressing issues that affect them personally and/or that they believe are important (Pereira, 2007).  Youth engagement means amplifying young people’s voices and leadership, creating safe spaces where they can discuss issues that affect their lives, and taking action.

A multisectoral view

The potential of young people to make valuable contributions on social issues is catching on across Ontario.  The Ministry of Education encourages students to take an active role in the classroom and education system, including funding student-led projects to make the education system better.  The Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth seeks to actively involve in their work the children and youth who are seeking or receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act and the Education Act, and youth engagement was a key component in the developmental phase of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services’ 2011 Youth Policy Framework.  Youth are also playing an important role in breaking the stigma of mental illness and helping to create youth-friendly mental health services through the New Mentality program, Children’s Mental Health Ontario.

Refer to the OPHA Youth Engagement Toolkit – Section 1 for more information on:

  • Understanding Youth Engagement
  • Understanding Middle School Aged Youth
  • Understanding the Benefits of Youth Engagement for Health Promotion
  • Public Health’s Role in Youth Engagement
  • Putting Youth Engagement into Practice

 

For more information on youth engagement related programs and initiatives in Ontario please see: