Youth Participation in Evaluation and Research as a Way of Lifting New Voices

Abstract

Abstract:Although youth participation in community evaluation is increasing in scope and quality, and its initiatives represent a new way of knowing about the roles of youth in society, there are few accounts of this approach to knowledge development. This paper provides perspectives on this approach as a new epistemology, employs information from a national participatory community-based project, and draws conclusions for future work of this type. We observe that youth and adults willingly participate in evaluation, that the process is facilitated by an ongoing structure and planning process, and that its worth is measured by its utilization as a tool for action.