Anti-Ageing for the Alps: Empowered by Youth Alp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder 1

Anti-Ageing for the Alps:

Empowered by Youth

Alp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder1

What is participation?

Be heard – talk together – take part – be a member –be responsible – fulfill wishes – ask for young people´s needs – have a vote – contribute to something – make a plan – feel ownership of project – get appreciation – be part of a group – deal with conflicts…..(to be continued)

But: Who is deciding? Where is the power?



Attendenceattending physically

possibility to raise one´s voice without being asked to


Transparencyattending physically

possibilty to raise one´s voice without being asked to

to be briefed adequately regarding the topic


Involvementattending physicallypossibilty to raise one´s voice without being asked to

to be briefed adequately regarding the topic

To be asked for one´s opinion

(without the power to decide)Alp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder6

Co-Determinationattending physicallypossibilty to raise one´s voice without being asked toto be briefed adequately regarding

the topicTo be asked for one´s opinionto have impact on decisions due to voting-rights


Self-Determinationto make the decision

to be responsible


What does Youth Participation mean for an organization?

in structure more time needed more process orientation

attitude and values of adults“Youth participation is not another aim of education and

training. It is a field of experiences for young people and a challenge for the older ones to share power with them. To get the strong feeling that you are considered as an equal member of society it is important to have made the experience that you are needed in your world. So appreciation, membership, participation and responsibility are necessary. Nobody can teach this like a lesson in school. It is not our task to tell young people how to participate. It is our task to give them chances to participate by telling the adults how to share power and how to give it to the young people.” (EPI 2005-2006)


Participations view at young people means…


…young people are citizens

•Social actors with lots of competences in decisionmaking, taking responsibility and self-organisation

•Childhood is an integral part of society not only the preparation for the adult life

• Children and Youngsters are citizens with special rights and duties. Some rights are limited to security reasons

•Young people are accepted as experts of their own life

challenges Participation needs willingness and acceptance of risks

The powerful adult has to give up a part of his „power to create and control“

The outcome (target and results) is not determined from the start. to be open for any result things changes during the process “experience is what you get when you didn´t get what you expected” (Randy Pausch)

Limits have to be transparent.

During Participation it will be dealt with difficult majorities respect human rights “sometimes majority means that all fools are on the same side”

Participation needs professional facilitatingAlp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder11

first step Build a group

Local network for participation

Know your target

Define the limits of participationWhere do you want to share power? Which step of

participation do you want?Consider that

…young participants must feel ownership of the project on which they are working

…adults must feel satisfaction by the contribution made by young people

(Results EU-project 2005-2006 co-management-becoming equal partners)

Write a constitution or a strategy for your organization or community


first step – here and now1.Build a group (4 persons)

2.Discuss your fields of participation

Where do you want to share power? Which step of participation do you want?

3.Come together after 15 minutes and share your results with the group


Placemat ActivityFind a group of 4 persons (1

minute)

Distribute 4 jobs (2 minutes) material manager – time

manager – social manager – reporter

work on your own (5 minutes )

read results of others - turn the paper clockwise (2 minutes)

agree on the 5 most important fields of participation (10 minutes)


Success and Problems

SuccessParticipation rights in communal constitution

(Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg) (must be)Schoolparticipation (in class, school and district)Kindergarten – nursery for democracyYouth centre Itzehoe – long term participation

ProblemsYoung peoples motivation is lackingTo reach young people living in social and

educational exclusionLack of trust in adult organizations


Where to pour in the energy?


Why Get Involved? –

Do you ever think to yourself “Why get involved, things aren’t going to change anyway?” By being involved you can help organizations make decisions that best meet your needs and those of your peers. Who knows better than you what youth need and want? Get involved and share your ideas!

Wondering “what’s in it for me?”. Here are a few perks that may interest you.

It looks great on a resume. Build leadership, communication, social, and team work skills. Meet new people. This is a great way to start building your network. Have a say in the type of programs and services being offered. Break down adult stereotypes of youth. Build your self esteem. Make things happen, lead change. Strengthen and improve your community; show others youth are a valuable resource. Gain a better sense of control over the decisions that impact your life. Have a sense of accomplishment.

Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat


parlamentary formYouth parliament

ItzehoeElections

(legitimation)15 members 14-19

yearsRight to speak in all

town councilsRight to apply in all

town councilsGets support from

administration


projects• different methods

– citizens talk• Give and get information

– citizens check• Citizens check the plan which is

done by professionals

– future workshop• Citizens create a plan with prof.

support

– planning workshop• Citizens vote for different ideas

and try to realize it. The final decision is still with the politicians.

– Training• Young people are trained to

present and defend their ideas and projects in adult councils

• Professionals are trained to be mediators between adults and young people

Youth Participation is……expensive.

Yes! It must be a part of our democratic system and this costs a lot of money. This is also true if participation is only consumption if young people are asked for wishes and the responsibilty for fulfilling them is with the adults. Young people have good ideas for simple solutions, misplanning can be avoided.

…possible. Yes! But this is only true when participation

gives enough space for minorities and avant-garde, when the responsibilty for realization lies with the young people and the adults expects them to take it.

…Democracy. Yes! But it is only true when through the

whole process transparency and mutual respect is present. The product is not the most important thing.


Young Voice – New VisionThe voice of the alpine youth

Young people from different youth participation programmess uch as the Youth parliament share and discuss their ideas on renewable Alps with…

YOU!Come and be inspiredThursday, 11;00 – 12:30, Location: PoloAlp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder20


Contact

Carsten RoederSocial- and Youthworker

Trainer and Facilitator for youth participation

Counsellor for democratic education, team work

and communal participation of citizens

Zeppelinplatz 5

D- 25524 ItzehoePhone +49 4821 93697

mobile +49 172 421 321 8E-Mail: [email protected]

Thank you for your attention!

Documents

Anti-Ageing for the Alps: Empowered by Youth Alp Week 2012 - Youth Participation - Carsten Roeder 1