Join Our Webinar Series: Empowering Youth Voices in Policy through Arts, Digital Participation, and Legislative Theatre

Dates: November 20, 21, 27, 2024
Organized by: Platoniq Foundation in collaboration with University of Birmingham and Reform Radio Manchester, 42 Street (TBC)

Funded by: ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy) and Open Society Foundations

Are you working with young people who want to shape the future of mental health, housing, or human rights policies? Are you interested in innovative, creative ways to amplify youth voices and impact public policy? Join us for a free series of webinars where we’ll explore how to empower youth, using the transformative power of participatory arts, digital platforms, and legislative theatre.

Why Attend?

We believe young people should be at the heart of policy-making, especially when it comes to decisions that impact their lives. In many places, civic spaces for youth dialogue are being limited, yet young people today face serious challenges:

• Mental health issues
• Housing crises
• Climate change
• Ableism
• Poverty
• Racial trauma

This webinar series is designed to equip youth, youth workers, and educators with the tools and skills to navigate these challenges, participate actively in shaping policy, and make sure their voices are heard. By combining creative methods like theater, art, and digital activism, we aim to strengthen democratic participation for all young people, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds.

Who Should Attend?

• Young people (ages 16-25)
• Youth workers
• Teachers and social center staff
• Organizations working on youth empowerment and democratic engagement

Webinar Topics:

1. The Transformative Power of Legislative Theatre
   Date: November 20, 2024
   Discover how theater and participatory arts can empower young people to bring their stories, issues, and policy proposals to life. Led by Sam Dixon (multidisciplinary artist and facilitator) & friends (TBD). 
2. Boosting Digital Participation for Policy Impact
   Date: November 21, 2024
   Learn how to use digital tools and online campaigning to tackle pressing issues like housing, mental health, and human rights. Led by Linton Rainford & friends (TBD).
3. Creative Methods for Reclaiming Youth Voices in Research & Evaluation
   Date: November 27, 2024
   Explore creative methods like poetry, illustration, and podcasting to reclaim youth voices in participatory research and evaluation. Led by Chimwemwe Chirwa & friends (TBD).