Over 40 organizations planning first ever Youth Forum in Sherbrooke
Over 40 organizations from the Sherbrooke Youth Roundtable (TCJS) are beginning work on the first ever Youth Forum Sherbrooke, directed at young people aged 1529 years. In order to properly assess and respond to the needs of the next generation, partners and community organizations are launching a broad consultation with Sherbrooke’s young people from Nov. 2 to Dec. 12, 2020.
The consultations and the forum will allow young people to have their voices heard, their ideas considered, and their hunger for change taken seriously. By targeting the issues that they find important and hold close, the forum is hoping to provide a unique experience for young people to rally for the things they believe in, all while causing a wave of real change.
The project has received support from RBC Center of Academic Expertise in Mental Health, the Sherbrooke Municipal Councilor, Annie Godbout, and Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie. “Young people are full citizens, but they are not always represented in decision-making forums,” Labrie explained. “This consultation process is essential because it gives youth a chance to express their views on what is important to them and it will allow the entire community to hear them.”
In order to participate, youth are asked to individually answer the question “if you could change one thing in your community, what would it be?”
Forum organizers are encouraging those who submit to do so in the medium of their choice; whether that be a short video, a song, an art piece or photo, or a short essay.
According to Pascale Cloutier, service coordinator for Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi de Sherbrooke, the goal was to let the participants express themselves with as few limits as possible. “It’s accessible for all youth, those who play music, or who might be more shy and would prefer responding online. We’re hoping to give them creative freedom and represent the youth that we work with in all the services.”
The organizers are also providing ideas and frameworks for teachers and youth workers to create and conduct activities for the young people in their classrooms and spaces. Upon completion, the responses given during the forum will be analyzed and presented to the TCJS, the directors at the CIUSSS, the municipality of Sherbrooke, and the school service center. “We want to use the data and responses to manifest and make things happen for youth,” added Cloutier.
To submit to the forum or access resources for teachers, parents, and youth support workers click here: https:// sante- mentale- jeunesse. usherbrooke. ca/ forum- jeunessesherbrooke.