New Energy, Ideas and Perspectives - How Young People are Creating Change across the Commonwealth

In October 2011, a group of International youth delegates met in Fremantle,Western Australia, to take part in the Commonwealth Youth Forum, which was held in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). In a forum workshop titled ‘Sharing Best Practice in Youth Engagement’, delegates were given the opportunity to share their experiences engaging young people and explored lessons learned while trying to engage young people more actively and effectively in projects and activities. The workshop showcased the diverse ways that young leaders are engaging peers in their communities and uncovered many lessons in leadership that young people can learn from one another. This Guide is an outcome of that meeting. It is designed to encourage and inspire young people to engage other young people to make change in their communities. It explores the principles that underpin effective youth engagement, and ways in which young leaders are already working to create change with their peers across the Commonwealth. The Guide draws on information collected from many groups, projects and organisations around the Commonwealth that successfully engage young people in their work.As you read through the case studies, you’ll see that they’re working on a diverse range of issues and using an equally diverse range of methods to engage young people and improve their communities. However, these groups all share a commitment to ensuring young people are meaningfully engaged, with a genuine respect for the contributions young people make and the benefits they can bring to their communities.