Pathways to Participation
Pathways to Participation focuses on what do adults have to do so that youth can have space and opportunity to participate.
A second model, proposed by Harry Shier and based on Hart’s ladder of participation, is called the pathways to participation. The main take-away in the “Pathways to Participation” model is the focus on the behavior of adults. That is, what do adults have to do so that youth can have space and opportunity to participate? Essentially, those with power and authority need to exhibit listening skills and respond in ways that create openings for youth participation in decision-making. Another useful element focuses on how these levels of participation manifest themselves in an organization. This includes creating openings for greater participation by youth as well as ensuring that there are activities, processes and/or procedures to support youth participation within the organization. The model also highlights the possible need to adjust an organizational policy in order to institutionalize or “obligate” the organization to a youth participation practice. Each successive step supports a progression through the diagram to a higher degree of youth participation in an organization.
Explore the toolkit:
Entry Points for Youth Integration into the Program Cycle
Guide to Youth in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Programs