10 Tips on Engaging Young People in Your Party

by Apathy is Boring — March 2, 2007

     
1. Provide Venues
Arrange meetings with youth in your community so that they can voice their concerns and ask you questions.  Just as important, it also gives you the opportunity to ask them questions and find out what concerns they have.  Schedule a town hall meeting specifically for youth, visit local student groups, or contact your local church organizations.  The venues are there!

2. Lectures
Tour the local high schools and universities to talk about the political process and the importance of voting.  These lectures need not be a sales platform for your campaign; youth will respect the fact that you genuinely care about democracy and youth participation in the democratic process.  

3. Learn to really listen
Remember that youth don’t respond to being talked down to.  Being the primary target audience for so much of today’s adverts, they are keenly aware of when they are being manipulated.  Avoid such condescending talk such as “You’re really smart for your age” or “You’re going to be something when you grow up”.  Make them feel like they already are somebody with something valuable to offer in the here and now.


4. Tell them your Story
Tell young people where you are coming from; why you got into politics in the first place, your experiences prior to politics, what your hopes are for the future.  Youth appreciate seeing a real human being representing them, not a cardboard cut-out politician.

5. Identify Key Youth Issues
Incorporate key issues that have been known to be important to young people into your electoral platform.  Youth care deeply about career opportunities, jobs, education, environment, arts and culture, to name only a few.  Detail how these issues fit into your candidacy and how they relate specifically to young people.

6. Don’t forget about children!
 Kids should be learning about the political process and their civic responsibilities before they reach the voting age.  Remember, the goal is to create a society of life-long voters, so fostering a feeling of participation in children is extremely important.  Organize workshops with the elementary schools and junior highs that give kids an introduction to the democratic process in Canada!

7. Let them do the Grading
If your campaign has a website, create a window specifically for youth where they can voice their opinions and rate how they feel the government is serving them.  Post the representative letters so that everyone can read them.

8. Get Out And Meet Them
Film festivals, concerts, and local sporting events are a great way to hit the street and meet youth.  Talk to them face to face and tell them you are interesting in hearing from them.  The political arena can seem like an intimating place to young people, so breaking the ice in their own backyard is a great way to build trust.  

9. Encourage Parental Responsibility
Encourage the many parents you encounter on your campaign trail to inform their children about the importance of voting and democratic participation.  Instilling a sense of civic responsibility is an important step toward increasing the number of young voters.  

10.   Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Of course, instilling a sense of responsibility isn’t enough to get youth out to vote.  You have to show youth that you have taken their concerns to heart by backing it up with action!