Join us for a live virtual educational session on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 12 PM – 3 PM Pacific / 2 PM – 5 PM Central / 3 PM – 6 PM Eastern, hosted by the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics. In collaboration with four organizations and youth advocates from across the U.S., this session will dive into how young people are leading advocacy efforts, sharing their experiences, and driving meaningful change in their communities. Register here and read below for more details!

Children and youth are experts of their lived experience and critical partners to understanding and improving the context and experience of childhood. Thus it is critical to include children and youth in the development of policy and practices that directly impact them. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) provides a well-established framework to partner with children and youth such that their right to participation is fulfilled and ensuring that they have a voice in all matters that affect them are realized (Article 12).

The AAP Council on Community Pediatrics will host a free 3-hour virtual educational session with four organizations and several youth across the United States engaged in youth driven advocacy initiatives. Organizations will share models and best practices that embody Article 12 of the UNCRC and ensure true youth partnership and participation across their operations. Youth will share their experiences and offer recommendations on how best to engage and develop collaborations with youth to advance future programs and policies.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the key elements of authentic youth participation and engagement.
• List the impact of youth led community level advocacy initiatives on youth and the community.
• Identify best practices for pediatricians and children/youth to partner in ongoing efforts to improve the health and well-being or children/youth in the community.

There will also be time for Q&A at the end of the session. This webinar is open to members and non-members.