Youth played an important role in the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference sponsored by U.S. EPA, the Local Government Commission (LGC), the Smart Growth Network, Caltrans, and Penn State University and held in San Diego on January 24-26, 2002. Youth Delegates drawn from cities in California, Arizona, Maryland, Washington, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio were nominated by elected officials and individuals representing cities, community-based organizations, associations and regional coalitions who support Smart Growth and believe that young people should be engaged in policy-making.

These 22 youth delegates, aged 16-18 years old, were supported by the Local Government Commission with funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Alliance Healthcare Foundation, and several cities. The California Center for Civic Participation and Youth Development with the assistance from the Sustainable Communities Leadership Project provided the orientation and framework for youth participation.

Prior to the San Diego conference, each youth delegate conducted a peer survey and interviewed a policy-maker from his or her area. During a five-hour orientation session prior to the conference opening, youth delegates developed their knowledge base to help them participate with adults on a more equal footing. They were able to do this by analyzing the results of their survey and local interview, learning more about each other and their communities, examining key elements of the policy-making process, and discussing smart growth practices and learning terminology.

At the end of the orientation, they developed a list of top priority youth concerns and smart growth ideas that they believed to be most important and promising. Throughout the conference, the youth delegates held youth caucuses to revise or reaffirm their list of priorities based on what they learned attending the conference sessions. As one delegate commented, "I became even more familiar with the many Smart Growth goals. For example, the planning of multiuse facilities such as schools and neighborhood centers. My own school is an example of such a plan."

The final set of priorities culminating from the collective experience of the entire conference was summarized and presented at a plenary session by two youth delegates who were selected by their peers. During their presentation, the young people asked the adult audience to reach out to under-represented stakeholders and bring them to the table. They shared the five top priority messages to adults:

* We must educate youth and all citizens about the importance of smart growth practices so that they will want to get involved.
* Youth will exceed adults' expectations as Smart Growth partners if adults give them a place at the table (on boards and commissions) and provide them with the preparation and support they need.
* The exploding youth population is the living, breathing evidence that growth will continue and that smart growth ideas are vital in addressing this growth, such as mixed land use and proximity.
* Further that proximity is not enough, that we need to continue to work for more sensible modes of transportation such as buses, trains, light rail, bicycles, and ferries, and reduce the number of automobiles on the road.
* Aesthetics is one factor that is driving factor in creating and maintaining a sense of community. "We usher the new, while preserving and building upon community traditions."

And, finally, the youth delegates implored the audience: "Why not include the future, when planning for the future? We are quite possibly one of the most powerful constituencies working to support smart growth initiatives, primarily because we will be the ones most directly affected by these initiatives -- much like we are now all limited by the irresponsible growth practices of the past. … We have the knowledge and motivation to be included in discussion; we have the energy and rejuvenating capacity to inspire. … Educate us, collaborate with us, and most importantly humor us. ...We are your new partners."

Youth delegates will return to their communities better equipped to serve as leaders among their peers and alongside adults who are building healthier communities around smart growth principles. Youth delegates will also be invited to serve on an advisory body to the California Center for Civic Participation who will be exploring partnership, program models, and funding sources to provide year-round support for youth-adult partnerships for Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities.

* For more information, contact the California Center for Civic Participation.