I do not want to get into the trials and tribulations about individual
young people's social media accounts, as witnessed recently of the now former
Kent Youth Crime Commissioner.
But the importance of involving our youth in decision making that effects
their lives cannot be overstated.
The UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child provides the framework for children's rights globally. Article 12
provides for the right of children and young people to participate in decisions
that affect them. The UK signed up to the Convention almost 25 years ago. Each
of the four nations has a Children's Commission tasked with ensuring
implementation of those rights.
Across sectors agencies are on
a journey; working hard to build a culture of youth participation and
leadership in our organisations and in public life. On that journey we have had
fun, insight, innovation, trials, tribulations and disagreements, learning
copious lessons along the way. All the time trying to make sure that
participation is meaningful for both young people and the organisations they
are influencing to create better outcomes for individuals and communities.
The work of youth
parish or town councils have challenged some established organisational orthodoxies,
habits and priorities. It hasn't always been easy or comfortable but it has
always been constructive, rewarding and ultimately positive.
Managed well, putting young
people at the heart of decision making in organisations and systems influences
better outcomes. Participation and leadership has the potential to influence
traditionally adult led structures, systems and approaches in ways that can
really improve them for young people. Inevitably creating shifts in cultures
will bring some challenges as well as opportunities. We must learn from the
good, the bad and the ugly. But we have to make sure we learn the right
lessons.
We all live and learn, we all
make mistakes and we must all be allowed to learn from them. As adults we must
search for and ask the right questions about how to make youth leadership work
in order to take the right learning from this and other situations. Those
questions that need asking may not be the obvious ones - they probably need to
focus as much on adult responses as they do on recruitment processes.
Finally I hope that an aversion
to risk does not limit creativity in this domain of public life. I hope that it
makes us more determined as adults and young people to continue enjoying
developing ways of working together to make a difference for all young people.
And absolutely most of all I hope young people will not be put off coming
forward to get involved because they think adults are hypocritical and worry we
won't keep them safe.
