Employing Young People as Partners: Capacity Building in Rural Communities
Moving beyond the rhetoric of Youth Participation requires considerable reflection, openness, honesty and tenacity. Partnership is one strategy within the spectrum of Youth Participation. This paper explores a number of successful, and far-from-successful, Youth Partnership case studies in rural South Australia. Examples range from employing young people as valued team members, to practical ways to strengthen young people's input into the development of projects and policy. Principles, Strategies and overcoming challenges will be addressed. The lessons for the future, for young people initiating partnerships, community organisations and government will be highlighted.