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Meaningful Participation Report 2008

Aim:

To explore how young people can engage in meaningful participation in our work. Also to identify ways in which young people can help identify solutions to address the issues and challenges they face, instead of developing strategies which are top-down.

Key thematic areas:

  • Creative ways of participation
  • Models of participation
  • Communication for Social Change
  • Cube Model

Key objectives:

  • Research and design a workshop programme using various participatory techniques and approaches to engage young people to understand how they can inform our Schools Programme.
  • Facilitate the content of the workshop to actively engage young people in various participatory processes to identify how they can be involved in our Schools Programme and provide meaningful contributions.
  • Provide an environment for free personal expression through the medium of various participatory and art forms where youth engage in meaningful partnerships.
  • Create a guideline for us to incorporate young people’s involvement in the design and implementation of the Schools Programme.

 

Key Methodology:

All the workshops in three provinces used participatory techniques such as puppetry, drama/role play, collage and fabric painting to explore young people’s perceptions of how they can be actively involved in our Schools Programme.

Key Results:

The findings from the workshop showed that learners valued working together and partnerships as the most important aspect of meaningful participation. Learners throughout the workshop reiterated that they just wanted to be listened to; they wanted adults to give them an opportunity to speak, share and engage. Learners enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with new people at the workshop. They did not enjoy the discussion group on their own, but the participatory activities which served as a catalyst for discussion. The Cube model suggests that the first step to engaging young people in meaningful participation is through listening to them. This became evident in the workshops, however in order to listen to young people, one has to ensure that they are speaking – GIVING VOICE to participants is a crucial component to initiate meaningful participation. This report suggests that the processes of Communication for Social Change (CFSC) can ensure that young people are given a voice through engaging in dialogue. Central to this process is to ensure that learners are in a safe and trusting environment which promotes and facilitates discussion and dialogue.

Key Recommendations:

The recommendations to follow is therefore a combination of extensive literature reviews conducted, the application of CFSC and the cube model in the design and outcome of the workshop content and the extensive feedback received from students on how to engage them in meaningful participation.

  • There is a need to advertise and tell other young people about the organisation
  • Organisation should involve learners to identify teenager issues in which they need assistance
  • Toll free line where learners can communicate with the organisation
  • The organisation should consider involving community halls used for young learners to meet and share (social clubs)
  • Young people can contribute to developing a magazine like loveLife has, where young people can share how they overcome issues
  • Young people can help target audience to speak out
  • Implement a youth advisory board