Understanding Innovation: Youth-Adult Partnerships in Decision Making

By Shepherd Zeldin, Ph.D., and Julie Petrokubi, B.S.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 13, Number 1, 2006, Pages 11-15, Item# A131-ZELDIN

Abstract:

In the United States, the concept of youth-adult partnership remains innovative. The notion that youth and adults can collaborate on issues of importance runs counter to prevailing societal norms, public policies, structures and standards of practice. There is not much cultural or policy support for managers seeking to integrate youth-adult partnership into youth programming.

This article describes some of the work associated with connecting youth development with that of organizational and community development. It focuses on understanding how community organizations refine structures, processes, and practices to include youth-adult partnerships in their programming.

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Youth Leadership

The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 13, Number 1, 2006

This issue examines how youth leadership can promote youth development, increase adults' competence and deepen their understanding of youth issues, and improve program effectiveness. It focuses on actively engaging youth as partners in decision making. As a counterpoint, "adult-driven" approaches are also examined, with the goal of helping programs find the right balance between adult-driven and youth-driven approaches to best meet program goals.

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