HISTORY

The Institute for Youth Research and Public Policy (IYRP) is a dynamic youth operated organization that was created in response to a growing concern regarding the lack of “Engaged” youth in public policy. The Institute is dedicated to contributing and building a better future for all youth in Canada. Matthew Cloutier, Chairperson of the York Region Youth Council, founded the Institute for Youth Research and Public Policy.

MISSION

“To ensure a safe and prosperous future by uniting young people across Canada to discuss key youth issues. By bridging the gap between youth and policymakers, the IYRP will provide policymakers and their senior aides with timely information and experiences that are imperative to the development of effective social and public policy.”

The central mission of The IYRP is to be both opportunistic and strategic, on a national and local level, by shifting the present public debate and commitments from youth problems to youth development. The role of the IYRP is to:


• Strengthen and support local systems in order to build a comprehensive youth development infrastructure;
• Monitor and respond to government policies and proposals affecting youth and youth services;
• Stimulate and highlight new research directions and collaborations to facilitate a better connection between the information needs of policy makers and the questions addressed by researchers;
• Provide training, forums and conference to youth and youth workers;
• Produce a range of resources, publications and newsletters;

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Through partnerships with a variety of organizations and individual young Canadians, the IYRP will mobilize on several substantive fronts to fulfill its primary mission. The following projects have been designated to commence shortly:

Canada Youth Link: The creation of a national registry and network of all youth councils and organizations across the country.

Project Engage: A national youth exposition tour that will highlight youth development initiatives and feature roundtable discussions with young Canadians.

Ministerial Portfolio Development Program: Work towards the creation of a Ministerial position for Youth Affairs at the provincial and federal levels of government.

CONTACT

The Institute’s immediate focus is to seek further resources to become a viable body. Show you support for a national voice for young people in Canada. Contact us at IYRP@rogers.com.