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Based on our Canada-wide discussions and survey, at our first meeting in November, 2007, the YDM team chose eight principles that would serve as the foundation for the project network. YDM participants democratically chose the following principles.

Inclusivity
Youth-led
Participatory
Adult Partnerships
Accountability
Representation
Young Adult Support
Informal Structure

he Everyone Has A Role In YDM Poster

Everyone is invited to be a part of the Young Decision Makers (YDM) Network! Click on the picture below for the full copy!

The YDM Brochure

Have you had a chance to check out our brochure? Click on the picture below for the full copy!

How YDM Supports Organizations

Wondering how the YDM Network supports work across Canada? Click on the picture below for the full copy!

You can order copies either by phone at (416) 597-8297 or by email at ydm@tgmag.ca.

Current Projects

The YDM members work together on projects that they believe are important to young people today. The following are the projects YDM is currently working on. If you’re interested on updates and how to get involved, click on the project title (if applicable).

National Children’s Rights Monitoring Project

Background
The Students Commission (and The Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement) has been asked by the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of the Child (CCRC) to help them better understand what is happening in this country around children’s rights. Next year, in January of 2009, we have an amazing opportunity. As a country that has signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (we signed it way back a long time ago in 1991) we are required to update the United Nation’s High Commission on Human Rights in Geneva on how we are doing. It’s kind of like a report card that tells the High Commission what we’re really good at around children’s rights, and what we’re really not so great at.

When the Canadian government ratified the UNCRC, they made a commitment to uphold the rights of children in this country and we want to make sure that we get a real picture of what’s happening out there so that we know what needs to change, and what we can celebrate!

The Mosquito Project

The YDM network is under the process of reviewing the Mosquito device, an audio device that emits high frequency sound waves meant to “deter” teenagers from loitering around stores, shopping malls, etc. Originally invented in Europe, this device has made its way into Canada. The YDM is currently gathering input from young people across the country on whether they believe this product is discriminatory towards them in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Following from these consultations, a report will be prepared and recommendations will be made with the Young Decision Makers network.

National Advisory Group for the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse (CCSA)

The YDM project is working together to incorporate young people in the development of the National Advisory Group on Youth Prevention for the Canadian Council on Substance Abuse. Please note that the advisory's group name is set to change because as opposed to focusing on "youth prevention", we are focusing on "youth drug abuse prevention". The group will be charged with the task of creating a national strategy on drug prevention for youth. The YDM's task will be to connect youth from across the country to the CCSA and this group to work with them. The hope is that the CCSA will be able to consult a broad range of young people from across the country through YDM so that the strategy is based on the input of many youth. Recently, a group of young people met with the CCSA at a conference they hosted in Toronto.