just hangin'Youth

In 2009-10 The Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) has prioritized addressing youth issues in the English-speaking community. To this end, it will be forming a Youth Committee to identify projects and other actions that can be undertaken to address these issues. If you are interested in getting involved in this committee.  

RAWQ's 2006-10 Strategic Plan identified the following goal as one of the association's priorities:

Encourage youth to be active participants in The West Quebec community now and in the future.

This goal recognizes that the regeneration and future vitality of vulnerable minority communities rests with youth. If young English-speakers are to remain active community members in the future they must be engaged by community leaders today. RAWQ must therefore consider in all of its activities the following realities that young people face:

  • Young people are increasingly leaving the region for economic and other opportunities located elsewhere.
  • Young people do not all share a sense of belonging to the English-speaking community. Their self identity is often divided among the Francophone and other cultural groups (as a result of intermarriage).
  • The level of bilingualism among many young people limits their employment and other economic opportunities in West Quebec. Those young people who are sufficiently bilingual to be successful in the region may perceive otherwise.

Supporting Strategies

  • Encourage youth to actively participate in community organizations and institutions.
  • Ensure youth have access to information and services (including education) in English to allow them to succeed in the majority French-speaking community.
  • Encourage bi-culturalism so that English-speaking youth can actively and comfortably interact with the majority French-speaking community.

Creating Spaces PDF

2008 Study on Issues of Concern to English-speaking Youth in West Quebec

As a contribution to the Quebec Community Group Network's provincial youth consultation (See Creating Spaces) The Regional Association of West Quebecers consulted 114 young English-speakers between the ages of 16 and 30 to capture their views on their lives in West Quebec.   The study was primarily aimed at generating an understanding of why young English-speakers  leave the Outaouais, why they stay and how their lives in the community could be improved. 

 

QCGN LogoQCGN Youth Standing Committee

RAWQ has been an active member of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) Youth Standing Committee since its inception. The following links provide more information on the provincial youth activities of the QCGN:

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