Young people and committee meetings

"Committee meetings are a very common method for adults to participate in environmental policy-making and when young people's participation is desired, a committee is often opened up, or formed, for youth participation. This article compares two of the committees in which young people participate at Waitakere City Council and identifies both institutional and attitudinal factors which shape young people's effectiveness in committee settings. The two case studies contrast young people's participation in a youth committee to their participation as minority representatives on an adult-dominated committee. The Youth Council is a committee of high school students, with a few adults in supporting roles. Keep Waitakere Beautiful is an adult committee which includes two young representatives form the Youth Council."