Youth participate in governance through observation and involvement
Youth Participation in Governance
Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working
Principle
Youth participate in governance through observation and involvement.
Participation does not require holding authority. It begins through presence, learning, and responsibility appropriate to age and readiness.
Nature of Participation
Youth participation includes:
- Observing governance processes and decision-making
- Being present during discussions, teachings, and deliberation
- Assisting with tasks that support governance and community care
- Learning how responsibility is carried before authority is exercised
- Witnessing correction, restraint, and accountability
Participation is formative, not performative.
Limits and Protection
Youth participation is guided by care.
This includes:
- Shielding youth from premature authority
- Avoiding tokenism or symbolic inclusion
- Ensuring participation does not replace protection
- Adjusting involvement to capacity and readiness
- Prioritizing learning over decision control
Participation without care becomes exploitation.
Relationship to Authority
Observation and involvement prepare youth for future responsibility.
Authority is granted only after:
- Responsibility is learned
- Conduct is witnessed over time
- Readiness is recognized by others
- Lawful succession is prepared
Participation is the pathway, not the shortcut.
Modern Context
In contemporary governance, youth participation may include:
- Advisory or observer roles
- Cultural, legal, and land-based education
- Involvement in restorative processes
- Learning through service and mentorship
- Gradual inclusion rather than sudden appointment
Governance that excludes youth undermines continuity.