Claire Edwards may be the most civic-minded young woman ever. The third-year political science student is hoping to work with a human rights organization in D.C. this fall through a Washington Center internship. She chairs the City of Edmonton Youth Council. She's president of the Student Network for Advocacy and Public Policy, where she works with students to lobby political leaders. Her own advocacy has ranged from eliminating bottled water use in her high school to getting a student trustee on the Edmonton Public School Board. In short, Edwards is an expert on getting young people involved in their communities.
What got you interested in being active in civic life?
When I was in Grade 10, I took part in a leadership program that connects students to non-profit agencies to learn about human rights. That was my first exposure to social justice work. My parents aren't activists, and I'm the first person in my family to go to university, but my parents taught me that actions have an impact, whether you're big or small.
My first experience of lobbying was pitching the idea of a student trustee on the school board. I cold-called public school board chair Sarah Hoffman, '04 BEd, '08 MEd. At the time, it was terrifying, but I thought, "How has no one thought about this before?"
How can young people get more involved?
Volunteer and leadership opportunities are great for preparing youth for the future. When I talk about getting students engaged in their schools, I hope that translates into active citizenship when they're older. Being on a community league, for example, may seem like an adult thing, but it's a great opportunity to see your work translated into something tangible.
We often hear young people are apathetic. Do you believe that's the case?
I don't think my generation is less engaged; I think they're disempowered. Youth don't think they're powerful, so they sit at home. And I don't think that's just youth. There's an epidemic in our society that says, "It doesn't matter if I vote. It doesn't matter if I donate to charity. It doesn't matter if I go out on the picket line." So it's important that we start telling youth, as early as possible, that every little bit does matter. That's what citizenship is about.
What can organizations do to include young voices?
On boards, I'm always the token young person. If organizations are going to give youth a seat at the table, it has to be to learn from them, not as a placeholder.
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