February 7, 2002

North Dakota Youth Look to the Future

North Dakota youths from every county in North Dakota offered their vision for the future of the state through 4-H’s "National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21^st Century" program.

"The results show that the young people of our state believe in the importance of community," according to Nels Peterson, North Dakota coordinator of the program and a North Dakota State University extension agent in Nelson county. "They have indicated that youth and adults need to work together to continue to make our communities and state a good place to live."

After gathering input from local meetings, a state meeting, bringing over 150 individuals, young people and adults to Bismarck, was held in early January. Information from the county conversations was compiled into a report. In late Feb., more than 1,600 representatives from each state, territory and the District of Columbia will meet in Washington, D.C. to present recommendations from their local and state conventions. The information will be compiled and presented to President George W. Bush and Congress.

North Dakota participants in the conversations looked at a variety of issues: the power of youth; exceptional people, innovative practices; access, equity and opportunity; effective organizational systems; and extraordinary places to live and learn.

Peterson says the participants came up with specific needs and solutions for positive youth development within North Dakota.

• Communities need to be made more aware of the positive activities of 4-H and youth programs.
• Communities and organizations need to develop programs that promote cooperation between business, schools, communities and youth groups.
• Youth organizations need to explore mentoring programs that develop partnerships between individuals because they build trust, respect and tolerance.
• Extra curricular activities such as 4-H, scouts, special interest clubs, etc. need to be embraced by schools to provide the best opportunity for youth success.
• Communities need to develop programs that involve youth in the decision making processes. By doing that, young people will begin to take more pride and responsibility in their communities.
• Volunteers are the backbone of many youth serving organizations and should be openly and publicly valued for their contributions to their communities and world.

They also identified how the state and federal government could participate in facilitating solutions. Some of those include:

• Providing scholarships for youth, volunteers and professional staff to learn more about youth.
• Provide funding to educate youth about positives of communities
• Promote full membership of a youth representative on any public board or organization that serves youth.
• Establish a state-wide volunteer day.
• Develop a volunteer Hall of Fame at the North Dakota Heritage center.
• Provide opportunities for business to be involved in youth career education.
• Develop a statewide directory of youth organizations and leaders.
• Provide tax incentives for businesses to hire and train young people.
• Encourage family friendly work places.
• Enact legislation to enable parents, guardians, etc. time to leave work to be involved in their children’s activities as volunteers.

The National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21^st Century is part of a year long centennial celebration of the 4-H program. "It is hoped, that by holding these conversations, the youth of America will have an impact on shaping their future," Peterson says. More on the youth conversations is available at www.4hcentennial.org/conversation .

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Source: Nels Peterson, (701) 247-2521, npeterso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu