Meaningful adolescent and youth engagement

__This article is written by Nellah Ndaka, Vice-chair under 30, Partnership for Maternal, New-born and Child Health __

• The problem: Policy decision-making processes tend to undermine young people’s health and well-being needs.
• Why it matters: It is crucial that there are adequate investments and inclusive policies in Adolescent Health and Well-being (AHWB) to allow young people to reach their full potential and thrive.
• The solution: Organisations working with young people can refer to meaningful adolescent and youth engagement strategies for inclusive policy decisions specific to adolescent and youth health and well-being

The Global Forum for Adolescents (GFA) that took place on October 11th and 12th, 2023, was the largest global convening of adolescents and youth aiming at centring issues confronted by this population. As part of the 1.8 billion Young People for Change campaign, young people wanted to be heard. They demanded action from decision-makers and world leaders to prioritise adolescent (and youth) health and well-being.

Perfect timing

The timing could not have been more right. In a time where the world has more young people than at any other time in history, it is crucial that there are adequate investments and inclusive policies that allow young people to reach their full potential and thrive.

"Fostering adolescent health and well-being requires that policymakers listen to the key Asks from their young people"

Young people should be seen as equal and valuable partners in projects, research, programmes and initiatives, and policymakers owe it to current and future generations to listen to “what young people want” and engage with their “stories”. Fortunately, world leaders have taken note of the 1.8 billion Young People for Change campaign and are making bold and ambitious commitments to prioritise AHWB. This is a chance to get things right, a chance at fostering truly inclusive decision-making processes based on diverse youth perspectives and experiences.

In 2020, the Global Consensus Statement on Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement (MAYE) was launched, committing to moving beyond the recognition and identification of young people solely as beneficiaries and towards engaging them as equal and valuable partners in projects, research, programmes and initiatives. With that, a checklist for practical strategieswas developed. Three years later, the GFA embodied these strategies, pointing to actionable ways for policymakers to engage with young people in matters of adolescent and youth health and well-being. Below, I will highlight two strategies for MAYE as they were applied during the GFA to advocate for AHWB:

__1. Supporting young people's leadership, and creating opportunities for young people to advocate for issues/causes of their choice. __

Young people are best placed to advocate for other young people, so it is important that young people are in a position to influence the decision-making processes. The GFA provided space for youth to air their concerns about the climate crisis, mental health, and access to adolescent health services, amongst other salient topics. It was a pleasure to note that most panels had at least one speaker under 30. The result of these discussions is the Agenda Action for Adolescents, which highlights seven priorities for action determined by young people themselves. The agenda provides a roadmap/path for policy-makers, in partnership with stakeholders from all sectors, to develop and implement policies and programmes that deliver on AHWB priorities.

2. Providing an enabling environment, with sufficient support and resources.

A key component of the GFA was the acknowledgement of young people’s capabilities and competencies. A notable session here was on investing and empowering the next generation of adolescent health professionals, focusing on how to support young people in building their skills and expertise in AHWB. In between the panel discussions were invaluable opportunities for young people to showcase their competencies and interests – through music, poetry, short films, choreography, etc, directed and/or co-led by young people. The art for well-being competition in film, music, design also included cash prizes for winners, a chance to provide young people with financial resources to support their work.

The GFA was a good example on how existing guidelines/strategies and checklists on how to ensure young people’s needs are taken into account are a great starting point for fostering adolescent and youth health and wellbeing.

The 4As

In conclusion, I reiterate the 4As of improving adolescent and youth health and well-being:

• Asks
• Agenda
• Action
• Accountability

Fostering adolescent health and well-being requires that policymakers listen to the key Asks from their young people, referring to the key strategies on MAYE. I encourage policy makers to make an inclusive commitment/Agendas to AWHB. Ideally, these Agendas are rooted in Accountability, and measurable impact, but most importantly, there needs to be continued Action from all actors working with young people to ensure that every generation reaches its full potential.

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