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 What is Participation?
Participation has multiple meanings for many people. You can participate simply by reacting as a member of society, or you can participate to connect with others and make social change. At its most basic, participation means making a contribution. You decide how far that contribution will go.Youth participation is necessary in today's world. In times of terror and war, decision-making takes place by a handful of world leaders, usually without the consultation of those who feel the effects the most. Although many youth are challenged to have their voices heard, there are ways and opportunities for them to be involved and affect the world around them. |
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Am I Participating?
When a young person speaks out against discrimination, exclusion, and injustice they are participating. When a group of young people in a community organize an event promoting social change, they are participating. When international networks of youth work towards common goals, they are re-distributing who participates in systems of power. There are a wide variety of forms that youth and youth organizations can be involved in to enable change and have an effective impact in their communities. In this theme we will explore a multitude of areas and levels that youth have undertaken and can undertake to be effective agents of change and influence.
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Levels of Participation
Many youth have found a voice for change in areas of involvement such as, non-governmental organizations, art, volunteering, direct action, government, international declarations, faith-based groups, and scholastic groups among others.
Choose a level of participation to see examples and view case studies.
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 Local Level |
 National Level |
 International Level |
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Participating from the Margins
Depending on resources and access to opportunity, youth participation levels can vary drastically. For example, a poor economic situation often determines how involved a young person can be. If a young person's basic needs are not met, or if s/he is suffering from debilitating illness, participating for the purpose of change is not always a primary concern. Access to opportunity varies according to gender in many countries. Girls and women face additional barriers to participating in the public realm. Empowering young women to express their views on local or international issues is fundamental to their development and agency. Youth who face not only gender oppression but oppression based on their sexual preferences, religious affiliations, or ethnic backgrounds, are often silenced. All youth who have the space and opportunity to participate in meaningful ways without fear of persecution, have a greater chance of successful participation. Often it is those most socially, economically and politically oppressed, who fight the hardest for change. What keeps you from participating? Share your stories on our discussion boards. |
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How Do You Participate?
Submit your own story about how you have participated - the challenges you've faced, the lessons you've learned and the rewards you've gained.
Read a Submitted Story:
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Global Gallery
We participate in the logic of the game. A few win, we all risk to lose. We participate in the world around us every second of every day. We participate in the effects, but we are not affecting. Cause is effect. Participation in the cause is the only way to change the effect. An expanding ripple: A Domino Effect. "Art can transform a yellow spot into the sun". Art can effect change. Participate with your art in this month's Global Gallery contest presenting the change that you wish to effect in the world of which we all are participants. Go there now! |
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Panorama
This month, our writers accepted the invitation to record stories about youth participation. When youth are left out of consultation, decision making, and action, they have two choices: remain in a state of non-influence or stand up and be heard. It is true: the printed word is powerful. One of the best ways for youth to participate in change is to write it. So go ahead. Read the articles and ruminate. Tell the writers what you think of their work. Start writing yourself. These are meaningful reactions; this is participation. Go there now!
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 Discussion Boards
What does participation mean to you? What are your barriers to participation? How can youth participate to influence policy-making? How can youth become more engaged "off line"? What do you think is the primary issue youth should be most vocal about? Start talking. Go to our boards and add your thoughts on youth participation. Go there now! |
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TIG Resources
 Guide to Action
TakingITGlobal's Guide to Action leads you through a pathway to action -- that is, it helps you reflect on what you want to do, get inspired about your potential, become informed about what to do and the issue you're doing something about, get involved and do something, and then act! The Guide's 'Connect' section also outlines ways in which you can connect your action back to the TIG Community.
Open Forums
As an offline component of TakingITGlobal, Open Forums bring together youth from a particular country to discuss real and relevant issues that they deal with in their communities, giving youth a platform for safe, open discussion to reflect and express what they face in their every day lives.
Petitions
Using the TIG Petition Tool you can create, sign, and share petitions with your community to take action and make a difference!
Projects
Discover the many Projects that TakingITGlobal Members are working on around the world, get involved, or start your own!
Resources
TakingITGlobal's Resources database provides you with an online collection of publications from many sources, including research reports, toolkits, declarations, and articles/essays on a variety of topics.
Voice
VOICE is about youth participation. If you want to be a part of local, national and/or international decision-making processes - including the United Nations - you will find the necessary information, tools and resources here.
Workshop Kit
Are you ready to run a workshop? Use TakingITGlobal's Workshop Kit to help you put together everything you need to run a successful workshop! |
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