“From creating start-ups to igniting revolutions, young people have been toppling the old structures and processes that govern our world. Just imagine what solutions might be found if young people are given the space and encouragement to participate and lead.”
– Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations
Developing effective ways to protect our country’s high-risk and system-involved youth is no small task. It demands a high level of collaboration, and calls for input from a great variety of sources. Conversations on this topic are led predominantly by adults, be it the OJJDP, US lawmakers, attorneys, or social justice activists.
In all of this discourse, one voice is often quieter than the rest. That is the voice of youth themselves. Youth are a highly unappreciated asset in the sphere of policy and social justice. How can we have productive conversations about decreasing delinquency and protecting young people without looking through their lens? As the primary target of these policies and practices, youth are worth being heard.
Young people have given us plenty of evidence that they are capable and eager to discuss complex social justice issues. A BBC article exploring youth activism highlights that 70% of Gen Z considers themself involved in at least one social or political issue; they also cited this generation as the “most likely generation to boycott”. Young people are living through copious injustices–from school shootings to climate change–and are mobilizing to correct them. This eagerness also exists in the space of juvenile justice, especially from youth who are/were personally involved in the legal system. Juvenile justice advocates and organizations ought to harness this incredibly rich resource.
Youth participation is not merely helpful, though. It also fulfills an internationally recognized obligation. In Article 12 of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in November of 1989, children are entitled to the expression of their opinion on any legal and administrative decisions that directly impact them. This basic right has stood the test of time, and has been applied to the sphere of policy in more recent years. In 2020, The US Security Council signed off on Resolution 2535, in which they urge all member states to “to consider ways to increase the inclusive representation of youth for the prevention and resolution of conflict… recognizing that their marginalization is detrimental to building sustainable peace”. Youth input is deemed a necessary piece of the puzzle in creating a more just, equitable, and livable world.
There are efforts taking place domestically to include youth in this important work. The OJJDP has made a concerted effort to include in their work both youth and families who have been directly impacted by the juvenile justice system. Their Youth and Family Partnerships Program provides guidance as to why youth involvement is necessary in the fight for change. Their program-specific Resource Library also provides tangible steps for actors in the juvenile justice space to amplify youth voices in their initiatives.
CJJ is also dedicated to helping youth be heard. Our organization takes great pride in our Emerging Leaders Committee (ELC), a dynamic group of 18-27 year olds with interest and/or previous involvement in the space of juvenile justice. The advice and input of this committee is central to CJJ’s initiatives. From developing new training materials for other youth to get involved in the fight to organizing the annual Youth Summit, this committee is proof of the incredible insight and productivity that young people bring to the table. (Heads up, if you are a young person who is exceptionally passionate about juvenile justice, our Emerging Leaders Committee is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Cohort. Applications will close on November 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST).
In short, we must continue to invest in and encourage youth voices in the space of juvenile justice. The creation of resources, like the OJJDP’s Resource Library, as well as youth advisory boards are important steps in this process. On the topic of juvenile justice, policy creation, and system reform, youth are worth being heard.