Pre-Conference Institute
Youth Participation in Advocacy and Systems Change:
Strategies for Empowerment, Health and Community
2-3 June 2008
Main Aims:
This Institute is appropriate for researchers and field workers who are working to “infuse” youth voice into agency, school, and community decision making and action. It is also appropriate for participants who want to learn more about research and models of youth participation.
Participants in the Institute will have the opportunity to:
• Understand the theory, research, and outcomes of youth participation, with a focus on applying this knowledge to their own research or community work.
• Understand contemporary models and “best practices” of youth participation, particularly as they are implemented in agencies, schools, and communities
• Learn about organizational assessment and action planning with respect to youth participation
• Discuss current issues and challenges of system change and advocacy in different countries and settings
• Develop “next steps” for their own future research and/or practice, and to get feedback from peers
PROGRAM
2nd June 2008
| 9.30 |
• The rationale for including youth are partners in system change and advocacy: Justice, developmental and community perspectives
• Sharing our own background and experience: Why are we attending this Institute? |
| 10.45 |
Break |
| 11.00 |
• Contemporary models of youth participation: Working with systems and advocating outside of systems. |
| 12.30 |
Lunch Break |
| 14.00 |
• What do youth require in order to participate well? Lessons from research and expert practitioners |
| 15.45 |
Break |
| 16.00 |
• Sharing our own background and experience: What do we think are the “best practices” for engaging young people? What does not work?
• Reflection |
| 17.00 |
Closing |
3rd June 2008
| 9.30 |
• Creating a culture of participation: What does it take to mobilize adults and strengthen organizations around issues of youth engagement?
• Sharing our background and experience: What does it take to change systems and organizations? What works? What does not? |
| 10.45 |
Break |
| 11.00 |
• Improving quality: Assessment and action planning with youth |
| 12.30 |
Lunch Break |
| 14.00 |
• Brainstorming and planning our future work: How might we integrate the insights of this Institute into our future research and community practice? |
| 15.45 |
Break |
| 16.00 |
• Feedback from peers
• Reflection |
| 17.00 |
Closing |
|
 Trainer:
Shepherd Zeldin, Ph.D.
Shepherd Zeldin is an associate professor of human development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (United States). He also serves as a community development specialist for Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Zeldin received his B.A. from Columbia University and his Ph.D. from Cornell University (1983).
As a researcher, Zeldin studies adolescent development, with a focus on how young people partner with adults to have positive impacts on their communities. As a technical assistance provider, he collaborates with organizations and coalitions on issues of community organizing, system change, and program evaluation. As a teacher, Zeldin gains the most satisfaction in helping graduate students prepare themselves for careers that integrate research, practice, and social justice.
Prior to becoming a professor, Zeldin worked in the nonprofit and public sectors for fifteen years. He directed Funds for the Community’s Future (a Washington, DC community development organization) and served as assistant to the commissioner of mental health and mental research for the state of Virginia. Zeldin also directed policy research efforts for the Center for Youth Development and Policy Research, the National Research Council, and Virginia’s General Assembly.
Zeldin presented at the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada in 2003. He looks forward to again meeting and learning with workers, students, and professors in Lisbon.
Registration fees:
| Members of SCRA, ECPA, SPPC, APS/CCP and other National Community Psychology Associations who might sponsor
the event |
100€ |
| Non-Members |
150€ |
| Students |
100€ |
|
