Global Youth Action Network

The Youth Participation Initiative

Young people are the world’s greatest untapped resource, yet a dynamic force of creativity and change. Despite record numbers of youth taking action to address social issues, their full capacity is often limited. They suffer from a cycle of under-funding and under-representation in processes that govern their lives.

While the youth movement continues to grow it suffers from fragmentation, with isolated successes and failures. In response, GYAN recognized a need for integration and developed a comprehensive program to systemically strengthen and measure youth participation in creating social change. Drawing from 5 years of experience networking and collaborating with thousands of youth organizations from all corners of the world, GYAN designed the Youth Participation Initiative.

The Youth Participation Initiative (YPI) aims to:
1. measure levels of youth participation on global, regional, national and local levels;
2. increase collaboration among youth organizations;
3. provide resources to support effective youth participation and action;
4. recognize and reward positive youth action;
5. publicize the agendas, activities and achievements of the global youth movement.

To achieve these goals, GYAN uses a four part program:

Part 1: Youth Participation Index (Index) – A conceptual framework for the selection of indicators and the design of indices that measure youth participation in creating social change. The Index is based on GYAN’s 5-level model of youth participation (adapted from the Integral Theory* model):
1) Awareness about key issues and critical thinking
2) Action to solve or address issues with positive recognition of action taken
3) Networking and communication to share information and successful strategies
4) Collaboration and trust between social groups
5) Participation in policy-making processes

Part 2: Collaborative Programs (CP) – A series of programs that help to facilitate effective collaboration among youth organizations at the regional, national and local levels - together with corresponding governmental structures. These programs were developed with the 5-level model of youth participation and include local meetings, community calendars, youth agendas, and multi-sectoral partnerships.

Part 3: Global Governance and Youth (GGY) — A process that promotes opportunities and advocates for youth participation within the United Nations System, key multilateral agencies, and global civil society forums. Programs include publication of the VOICE Newsletter and VOICE section of the TakingITGlobal web site; lobbying of youth-related Ministries and UN Missions through the United Nations Youth Delegates Fellowship Program; facilitation of Youth Caucuses and groups at UN events and policy processes; and the formation of Youth Advisory Councils, Committees and Taskforces to UN and other multi-lateral agencies.

Part 4: Publications – A mass distribution of the activities, achievements, successful strategies, and model programs in youth participation. Ongoing partnership with research institutions provides new research for publications and offers credible, academic analysis on the impact of youth participation.

For more information on the program please contact:
Benjamin Quinto, Executive Director, 212-661-6111 / benjamin@youthlink.org

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* Integral Theory of Consciousness (K. Wilber) integrates twelve of the most influential schools of consciousness