Committing to youth participation
These commitments articulate how we are currently learning to practice meaningful participation in the design of municipal services. In Re:Structure, we make these commitments visible and open to critique. While they guide what we do, they remain alive: we actively test, challenge and revise them together with youth and others as the research unfolds, learning what meaningful participation requires in practice.
Category:
Principles
Author:
Audun Formo Hay
Location:
AHO
Date:
Jan 13, 2025
The gathering marked the beginning of a collaborative process focused on exploring and addressing youth marginalization through shared learning, dialogue, and research.
Hosted in Kunnskapshjørnet at Bærum Kommunegård, the day was structured to encourage both openness and focused partnership work. The morning session was open to all interested participants, including potential community partners and related organizations, and featured a project overview, introductions, and hands-on “taster” experiences from the project’s work packages. A key highlight of the morning was a youth-led dialogue session titled “Hva er ‘innafor’?”, which created space for young perspectives to shape the project’s framing from the outset. Following a shared lunch, the afternoon session was reserved for formal project partners. This closed segment focused on how partners wanted to work together, situating Re:Structure within its broader social and research context, and reflecting on the project’s research ambitions and responsibilities. The kick-off meeting was bilingual, moving between Norwegian and English to ensure inclusive participation. Overall, the event built a shared understanding, aligned expectations, and generated momentum for Re:Structure as a collaborative, youth-informed initiative.
The kick-off meeting was bilingual, moving between Norwegian and English to ensure inclusive participation. Overall, the event built a shared understanding, aligned expectations, and generated momentum for Re:Structure as a collaborative, youth-informed initiative—laying a strong foundation for continued cooperation and meaningful impact in the months and years ahead.
