Young people are often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, but the decisions cities make are shaping their lives today.
NLC’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) brings together an impressive group of young leaders selected from applicants nationwide. In addition to planning NLC’s youth conferences, which take place each year alongside City Summit and Congressional City Conference, YAC members are actively engaged in their own communities as youth council members, working with local leaders to drive meaningful change in their cities. Their experiences offer important lessons about what meaningful youth engagement looks like and how cities can ensure young people have a real voice in shaping their communities.
1. Young People Want to Be Involved. They Just Need a Way In.
For many of these students, civic engagement began when someone opened a door. However, what that door looks like can vary by community. Hillsboro, Ore., for example, hosts a “Youth City Day” where students get the opportunity to attend workshops centered around civic engagement, network with other youth and speak to civic professionals. The city’s effort helps introduce youth to city government and to opportunities to become more civically engaged, such as the youth council.
Another great entry point for youth are internships. YAC member Taylor Berry of Miramar, Fla. interned in the City Clerk’s Office and with a school board member, giving her a closer look at how decisions are made and how important it is for young people to participate in those conversations.
Don’t assume a lack of youth participation means a lack of interest. Sometimes it means young people haven’t been shown the door. When cities create clear pathways for involvement, they tap into a pool of engaged residents who bring energy, creativity and lived experience to local problem-solving.
“If youth are simply given opportunities to become involved and have a seat at the table alongside adults, we’re able to bring fresh perspectives and new ideas into the conversation!”
– Brigette Harrington, Hillsboro, Ore.
“I wish every mayor understood that a lot of young people want to be involved, but many don’t know where to start. Local government can feel complicated if no one explains how it works. The more cities help students understand how local government works, the more likely they are to stay involved and strengthen their communities over time.”
– Siri Krishna, Austin, Texas
2. A Seat at the Table Means More Than an Invitation: Engage Young People Before Decisions are Finalized.
Creating opportunities for young people to participate is important. But these students also draw a distinction between being invited to participate and being given a meaningful role in decision-making.
That distinction can be an important one for cities to consider: Are young people being asked what they think before a decision is made, or are they being asked to react to something that has already been decided?
Taylor (Miramar, Fla.) has seen firsthand what young people can contribute when they are given a voice. Through her work with the city, she has spoken at city events, interacted with elected officials, organized youth initiatives and gained insight into how local decisions are made.
She wants city leaders to go a step further. For Taylor, meaningful engagement means allowing young people’s ideas to influence programs and policies — not simply asking for their opinions after decisions have already been made.
“Young people want more than opportunities to attend events or be recognized. We want meaningful ways to contribute to the decisions that affect us.”
– Taylor Berry, Miramar, Fla.
“One thing my city does especially well is creating opportunities for young people to have their voices heard. Through youth councils, advisory boards and community initiatives, students are encouraged to share their ideas and participate in conversations about local issues. It shows that our perspectives are valued and that we can contribute to shaping our community.”
– Mia Fernandez, Miramar, Fla.
3. Youth Engagement Happens Beyond City Hall: Create Places Where Young People Can Build Community.
The students also remind us that creating strong communities for young people isn’t only about formal civic programs.
Mia Fernandez of Miramar, Fla., wishes more cities would create “third spaces” — places outside of school and home where young people can safely gather, build community, and develop as leaders.
Brigette Harrington and Breese Campbell, YAC members from Hillsboro, Ore. and Broken Arrow, Okla., offer a glimpse of what those spaces can look like: Breese points to her city’s downtown, where investment has helped create a vibrant gathering place with a farmers’ market, live music, festivals, food and community spaces while Brigette highlights Hillsboro’s lush parks, variety of local sustainability programs, public libraries and city-wide volunteer events,
A young person doesn’t have to be sitting in a council chamber to develop a sense of belonging in their community. Parks, libraries, downtowns, recreation programs, festivals and other gathering places can help young people build relationships and connections that make them feel invested in their city. Communities where young people feel connected are more likely to cultivate future volunteers, civic leaders and engaged residents who remain invested in their city over time.
“While we may be young, many of us put a lot of effort into understanding the problems facing our communities, so our opinions should not be dismissed simply because of our age… young people don’t want to be treated as special. We want our voices to be given the same consideration as adults.”
“As I talk to friends and others in my community, so many youth have dozens of ideas and wants for their city, but just don’t know where to start or how to get their voices heard. Most young people seem not to know how to get involved, or think it takes more effort and work than it actually does.”
– Breese Campbell, Broken Arrow, Okla.
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