So what score did you give yourself regarding youth empowerment five, six maybe even a seven. Well back in 1994 Professor Roger Hart a sociologist for UNICEF developed the Ladder, intended the first three rungs to represent forms of non-participation. Since Roger Harts work Adam Fletcher of the Freechild Project as developed the idea very neatly describes what each of the rungs are Adults manipulate youth – Youth forced to attend without regard to interest. Adults use youth to decorate their activities – The presence of youth is treated as all that is necessary without reinforcing active involvement. Adults tokenize youth – Young people are used inconsequentially by adults to reinforce the perception that youth are involved. Youth inform adults – Adults do not have to let youth impact their decisions. Adults actively consult youth while they’re involved – Youth only have the authority that adults grant them, and are [...]

Hello Dear Reader So what have you got planned this Weekend, I am heading to Manchester to participate in the Explorer Scout Leaders (Young Leader) Training weekend being run by the Scout Association. Umm…. but Chris your not a ESL(YL) are you??? And I you would be correct I am not, but I believe the Young Leader scheme is a great scheme and something thing that I would like to understand more about. I think if it is done well it can provide a young person with some key tool for later in life, not just in scouting but in business too. However if it is done badly it could put young people off ever considering being a Leader as and adult. If we look at the young leader scheme from what I can see (will know more after the weekend) it offer a chance to So in order to [...]