OUR MUNICIPAL YOUTH COUNCIL

An entity composed of young people that serves as an advisory or advocacy body to government or donor agencies. advisory or advocacy body to government or donor agencies.

Youth councils have the power to have a lasting effect on both individuals and communities. These effects range from tangible results of council projects (e.g., new latrines, cleaner streets) to more profound behavioural or societal changes (e.g., increased self-esteem, development of youth policies).

At the individual level, youth often report improved confidence, self-esteem, and sense of purpose.2 For example, one youth council member said that “serving the youth” through a youth council gives her “great inner satisfaction.” Youth councils can also provide youth with opportunities to acquire new skills, such as public speaking or fundraising.3 One youth attributed his improved leadership skills and ability to plan and manage projects to his involvement in a youth council.

Many of the skills gained through participation in youth councils can be transferred to other contexts. Providing young people with the ability to express themselves in a diplomatic and eloquent manner, for example, can serve them well in their professional and social lives. Youth councils also offer extensive occasions for networking, which allows participating youth to expand their professional opportunities. Young people also gain a better understanding of local issues and governance structures by experiencing governance processes first-hand.

The positive impacts of youth councils go beyond the individual youth who are members of the council itself. The Youth Declaration, created by the Mozambique National Youth Council (MNYC), informs youth policy for the entire country. Youth councils can also foster intergenerational dialogue and improve the image of youth in the eyes of policymakers.5 The Mulago Parish Youth Council (MPYC) is an example of one youth council that has succeeded in this realm: one MPYC youth member reported better relationships with elders in the community, who now see youth as “responsible pillars of the community.” Many youth councils run projects to improve their communities; while these projects usually target youth, some benefit the entire population. The MPYC built a ventilated pit latrine that benefits all of the inhabitants of a neighbourhood that previously lacked sanitary facilities. Youth working together can enact positive social change in their communities, whether local or global.

Effective youth councils encourage youth to become active citizens by providing them with opportunities to increase their skills, influence their communities, and learn about governance through direct participation. In addition to access to adequate resources (e.g., funding, space to conduct activities), the literature and case studies identify several other components necessary for youth councils to be effective.

A world in which every young person is empowered to create social and political change.

As SBM’s youth council, this Youth Council brings young people together to find their voice and use to improve the lives of young people. We work with others to amplify young people’s voices to create an environment in which young people’s views are valued, sought and acted upon.