In an era marked by rapid societal change and rampant polarization, this nation has seemed to have forgotten that creating tomorrow starts with empowering those who make today. Generation Z, the defining group of the 21st century, is represented by  more than just a letter; it represents the new and developing generation that will set the framework for this nation’s next chapter. Similar to the alphabet, Z symbolizes more than just a conclusion to the present sequence, but a catalyst for the start of a new one.  

Looking at the past, it’s evident that America has always prioritized the voices of its younger generations. In 1989, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and set the precedent for youth protection in the US. What was included in these established rights was also a promise to protect youth advocacy. According to the United Nations Human Rights, Article 12 asserted that state parties “shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child” and that as a result, “the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child.” Dating as far back as 1989, it’s clear that America values the perspectives of its younger generations. The question now is, how deeply does this sentiment remain today?   

Today, in a world filled with polarized voices of power, the calls for youth advocacy have increasingly been disregarded, and the voices of our nation’s children are fading into silence. Currently, existing law has established the California Youth Empowerment Commission, created by AB 46 (Rivas), (Chapter 660), and Statues of 2021, to address the necessity of building relationships between youth and policy makers. The problem lies in the fact that these youth commissions are not only hard to maintain, but lack the necessary resources and structure to enact real change. As The San Diego Union Tribune reported in July of 2022, members of San Diego’s Youth Commission reported that “there was no structure, orientation, or discussion about the responsibilities and roles” as youth commissioners. In addition, the members disclosed that the commission had failed to officially present any recommendations to the city during the two years in which they served.

With few opportunities to provide real guidance on issues affecting youth, California’s youth commissions have become “token representation” systems that are appointed simply to create a perception of youth inclusion, despite them lacking any real influence in their communities.

And, as a report done by The California Task Force reports in August of 2014 that in California explains, less than 50% of high school seniors surveyed viewed being actively involved in state and local issues as their responsibility. It’s evident that while our current status quo aims to incorporate youth voices, it has consistently fallen short in providing the essential guidelines and support to do so.  

In order to address the failures of present youth commissions in California, AB 2591 was sponsored by the American Youth Association to require counties and cities to establish a youth commission in response to petitions, as well as to provide the necessary guidelines for the implementation of these commissions. This bill not only establishes a support system for local communities and students across California, but also sets clearer standards for the committee's structure by requiring the board to prescribe the roles and responsibilities of the county youth commission. California’s AB2591 would also provide county youth commission members the opportunity to not only attend all public meetings of the board, but also to present the governing body with updates on projects, requests for action by the council, proposals for future projects, and comments or concerns regarding the community.

AB2591 serves to enhance the effectiveness of existing youth commissions, enabling them to operate more functionally and effectively within their state and local governments, giving youth more influence over the decisions that affect them.

But, the importance of prioritizing the establishment of efficient youth commissions lies in the fact that youth are inherently motivated to partake in civic engagement, but often lack the opportunity to do so. As a study done by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research reports, one in three teens have a high level of civic efficacy, however, there is a significant gap by race and income between those who are interested and those who are actually able to engage in civic activity. As a result, Latino teens have the lowest rates of participation in civic activities. It’s clear: youth don’t lack interest in community and political issues, what they lack is the opportunity to participate. So, in an effort to return this power back to the youth, last Wednesday afternoon, April 24th, AYA's California State Policy team testified to the Assembly Local Government Committee favor of AB2591. After each giving 2 minute speeches to the committee to urge their passing of the bill, AB2591 was passed with a vote of 5-4 in the committee and has now been redirected to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB2591 is the first of many future steps in creating a society that values the opinions of its youngest members.

 Ultimately, prioritizing the inclusion of youth in local governments is more than just a matter of ticking a box for inclusivity and creating the perception of representation. Instead, it’s an investment into the opportunity to create a better future. Involving youth voices at the local level ultimately works to cultivate a culture of civic participation that extends far beyond the short term impacts we feel, but rather creates a legacy of empowered and dedicated citizens who are ready to shape the future for generations to come.      

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Our Sources:

Alvarenga, Emily. Thrown in the water and told to swim': What went wrong on San Diego's Youth Commission — and what members say would help. The San Diego Union Tribune, 19 Jan. 2023, www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-06-19/youth-commission-funding. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning. "Revitalizing K-12 Civic Learning In California: A Blueprint For Action." CDE.CA.GOV, Aug. 2014, www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/documents/cltffinalreport.pdf. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

General Assembly. "Convention on the Rights of the Child." United Nations Human Rights Office Of The High Commissioner, 2 Sept. 1990, www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child#:~:text=Article%2012,-1.&text=States%20Parties%20shall%20assure%20to,and%20maturity%20of%20the%20child. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

UCLA Health. "California teens who volunteer and engage in civic life are healthier, aim higher in education, study finds." UCLA Health, 18 Dec. 2018, www.uclahealth.org/news/california-teens-who-volunteer-and-engage-in-civic-life-are-healthier-aim-higher-in-education-study-finds. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

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