In recent years, a growing recognition of meaningful youth engagement and of the power of user-driven programs has fueled efforts to identify best practices for engaging youth in health initiatives. Studies have suggested that involving the target group and using formative research to ensure that both the content and delivery of the intervention is acceptable can increase the likelihood of uptake.2 More importantly, youth value being included in decision-making as well as having opportunities to develop and implement their own projects. They want to and should be equal partners – not just recipients or advisors – in the programs that impact them. Involving the target group, especially for youth-oriented programs aimed at addressing health disparities, requires that engagement be undertaken equitably. Equitable engagement means that youth of all backgrounds and lived experiences, particularly those who are the most vulnerable, have opportunities to participate, be empowered, and have their voices heard along with other youth in decisions that affect their lives.
Youth engagement can take many different forms – every program will have different goals and populations, and different models will be necessary to meet those needs. No matter what youth engagement looks like, it is important that the emphasis is on the youth experience and avoids tokenism, where youth are engaged solely in a symbolic way without real power. Youth should be at the forefront, and their experiences should be highlighted no matter the method. Youth Listening Sessions (YLSs) offer an opportunity to meaningfully engage youth, signaling that their opinions are valuable, and incorporating their voices into program discovery, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
A YLS is just one promising strategy to gather youth input and create meaningful action based on their perspectives. It is important to note that humility and empathetic listening increase the likelihood of success for any youth engagement strategy, and therefore the lessons shared in this resource have wide applicability for any organization seeking to more meaningfully and equitably collaborate with young people. (author introduction)