Youth Stakeholders in Neighbourhood Revitalization: A Case Example

Authors

  • Christine Ann Walsh University of Calgary
  • Jennifer Hewson University of Calgary
  • Micheal Shier University of Pennsylvania
  • Edwin Morales University of Calgary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v3i3.388

Keywords:

youth engagement, participatory action research, community development, social work, Photovoice

Abstract

Most studies describing youth engagement, focus on the positive aspects for youth development and the individual benefits associated with participation in youth engagement activities.  Receiving less attention within the literature is research investigating the benefit of youth engagement for the wider community. This paper describes and analyses the process of developing and implementing a participatory action arts based research project in one community in Calgary, Canada with adolescent youth. Our findings suggest that utilizing a participatory research process for youth engagement can help support a more comprehensive understanding of the significance of youth participation beyond individual measures of youth development. Discussion of challenges and outcomes is provided for replicability of the study design and process in other settings

Author Biographies

  • Christine Ann Walsh, University of Calgary
    Professor, Faculty of Social Work
  • Jennifer Hewson, University of Calgary
    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
  • Micheal Shier, University of Pennsylvania
    PhD(c), School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania
  • Edwin Morales, University of Calgary
    MSW, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

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2014-04-02

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