Empowering Youth Empowering youth to make change in schools and communities is one of the most effective tools that can be used in dealing with Youth Violence and bullying. Ways of doing this range from educating youth on the short and long-term effects of violence and bullying on the victims and the community through to giving youth more say in the consequences faced by offenders. The more input that youth have into the issues that face them, the more respect they have for the processes used in resolution. In addition, the more options and skills the youth have to resolve conflict will have an effect on the number of negative actions taken. Many youth are under the false idea that in order to effectively deal with conflict, violence is the only option. The less that violence is viewed as an accepted form of conflict resolution among their peers, the less it will be an option chosen. One great example of Youth Empowerment is a peer mediation program. Youth are more open to ideas and influence by peers than by adults. They feel as though there is better understanding by their peers. They feel that their peers are able to relate to the issues involved better than adults. It also tends to be less confrontational than that of traditional mediation done in a principal’s office or by a teacher. Another step in prevention is to allow youth input in the programs and projects that involve them. Creating a community youth panel is a great project that can have more effect on the reduction of youth based school and problems. Essentially you are creating a panel of youth from all areas of the community that meet and discuss issues facing youth in the school and community. They are to be elected by youth in the area from which they represent. After they meet and discuss issues brought to them by other youth, they publish the issues in a youth newsletter. Youth are then asked to submit possible solutions to the issues. The panel then meets again and goes through these solutions and as a group they take some of the best ideas to the community leaders meeting. This is where the youth panel meets with the community representatives, who can include the mayor, school administrators, youth workers, law enforcement etc. Together they all discuss the issues and suggested solutions. This will create a sense of pride in the community by the majority of youth. It will also help in bridging the gap between youth and the rest of the community. This will also assist the community in raising concerns with youth and to invite a cooperative and proactive solution. CALL END YOUTH VIOLENCE AT :(604) 582-9624