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Advocacy #1
We advocate for and on behalf of young people.
Context
The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they - at some distant point in the future - will take over the reins. Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself nicely... because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young people can bring to bear down on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate problems without the full participation of even very young people is imbecile. (Alvin Toffler)
Goal
Effective and comprehensive pastoral ministry with young people calls for adults to advocate for the needs of young people. This, of course, includes saying “no” to that which is bad for young people. Further, young people are taught and encouraged to advocate for themselves, to name their own needs.
Suggested Implementation
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Developmental Needs: Regularly offer information to a wide variety of audiences regarding the needs of young people. This can and should include parents, catechists, confirmation sponsors, and core team membership as well as parish staff and leadership. It should include the developmental changes and societal challenges that young people face as well as how young people grow spiritually and emotionally.
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Diversity: Offer to assist parents, catechists, confirmation sponsors, and core team membership as well as parish staff and leaderships in assisting young people and families. Include the developmental changes and societal challenges that young people face as well as how they grow spiritually and emotionally.
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Spiritual Development: Check out this video to ensure that young people’s journey as a person matches the development of their journey with Christ.
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Perspective: When developing responses and/or programming related to young people, actively seek young people’s imagination, participation, and ownership in developing solutions. Remain committed to address various issues and concerns through the eyes of a young person.
Methods for Evaluation
Within the same calendar year as you attempt to address this concern, delegate individuals, both young and old, to ask:
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Do young people evaluate the programming available to them as too demanding and too mature for them or as too simplistic and too immature?
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Do we always attempt to match them in their present stage of development and/or compelling and challenging them to growth?