The importance of Youth in our community

The Toronto Youth Cabinet recently sent out a survey regarding youth engagement and youth related issues.Supporting and empowering youth has been my passion and my career for over 16 years. I appreciated the opportunity to respond to their questions . Here are some of my answers.Question:a) It is said that we are no longer debating “why” youth should be involved, but how. What is your workplace plan for engaging young people in your ward?Response:Youth are our future and an important part of our community in ward 13 and Toronto as a whole.I will engage youth through ward- wide youth only forums and meeting/brainstorming sessions.I will further engage youth by working in partnership with ward and city community groups, businesses, schools, sports and interest groups to be sure that youth are empowered to put their ideas forward and be heard. Not every idea can be acted on immediately and not every idea is workable but every idea must be heard and discussed so that new issues, ideas and solutions can be brought forward. The experts for youth issues are the youth in the city that are experiencing the issues. My job is to encourage and support the youth voice so that progress is made and owned by youth. Change happens from within, youth will own the change they impact. I am committed to that.I run a not for profit organization that empowers youth to work together to educate other youth, their peers, on making healthy choices about alcohol, drinking and driving and other health issues. I bring this experience, listening, commitment and passion with me in my bid to be the City Councillor for ward 13. You are our future.Question:b) We tend to speak about deficiencies in our communities and what is lacking rather than about what is positive and how we can build on it. What assets do young people in your ward possess, and what specifically will you do to ensure that these assets are mobilized and used as building blocks for community building in your constituency?Response:I could not agree more! Deficiencies are only one part of the puzzle. There are things that are working and should be celebrated, showcased, and built on.Young people in ward 13 have an enthusiasm and freedom that is sometimes lost by the time we become adults. They are willing to look way outside the box and take the risk associated with what they see outside the box. That ability, coupled with the passion and desire to make a change in their lifetime is a gift and should be utilized when looking for solutions. Finally, Youth are the experts about youth. Peer based education works and has been shown to be effective worldwide. Peers speaking with peers about the issues and solutions will bring about change at a rapid rate and change that is significant as it is owned and created by youth.So, what would I do? Have an open door policy for youth to see me and work with me on community solutions. Have a community wide youth meeting or symposium. Have youth work with me on committees, in the office and on special events (youth related or not).Every committee should have a youthful voice.