Youth Summits: Engaging Young People in Violence Prevention
By Hannah Leiterman and Paula A. Nessel
Hannah Leiterman, former editor, and Paula A. Nessel, former
program manager for School Programs of the American Bar Association Divison for Public
Education
It is Law Day (May 1). The federal courthouse is filled with hundreds of high school
students from rural, urban, and suburban areas around the state. They arrived by school
bus, private car, and public transportation. The students are from a wide range of racial
and ethnic backgrounds, with an assortment of clothing and hair styles. They have gathered
to discuss a number of legal issues with experts from the executive, legislative, and
judicial branches of government as well as non-government organizations.
In one courtroom, the white-haired state director of the American Civil Liberties Union
has just expressed an opinion on a law forbidding the sale of recordings containing
obscene lyrics. A high school student stands and begins to express her opinion, when the
ACLU director begins to stand to clarify his position. The young woman firmly motions to
him to sit down as she continues to make her point. The ACLU director respectfully takes
his seat and allows her to finish. Here, the student's opinion is just as important as
that of the "expert." This is an example of the power of a youth summit.
Click on the links below to continue:
OJJDP and Youth Summits
Lawyers Lead, Participate, and Support
Young People Across the U.S. Confront the Problems That Affect
Their Lives
Profiles: Addressing Concerns of Young Women; Solving
Problems in the Virtual World
Profile: The International Youth Environmental Summit
A Closer Look at Exemplary Youth Summits: Delaware
A Closer Look at Exemplary Youth Summits: Minnesota
A Closer Look at Exemplary Youth Summits: Oregon
A Closer Look at Exemplary Youth Summits: Illinois
Conclusion: The Future of Youth Summits; Best Practices
Resources and Links
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