Developing Leaders of Today

Abstract

Youth aren’t just “leaders of tomorrow;” they can be leaders today. This poster session focuses on youth leadership and civic engagement research and how to apply it to youth work in the context of positive youth development. As a public organization, Extension has a responsibility to help develop engaged citizens. Rurthermore, “civically active youth present a remarkable opportunity for advancing Extension programs and significantly contributing to the development of new programs and policies” (Brennan, Barnett, & Baugh, 2007). Poster authors will share findings of a literature review conducted on youth leadership and civic engagement, including the following keys to success: perceiving youth as citizens and leaders of today, not simply “in training;” building strong Youth-Adult Partnerships and relationships; contextualizing leadership and citizenship; understanding civic engagement as more than “service” to community; applying Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles. Poster authors will also invite poster viewers to reflect on their own programs and plans to create authentic leadership experiences with young people participants and to reflect on their own youth programs and experiences with the use of an online “Essential Elements Program Planning Tool.”