Promoting youth civic engagement using a multi-sector partnership approach: A case study of provincial Thailand

Abstract

Youth civic engagement (YCE) is a positive development method for fostering skill sets and social mindsets among young people. Previous research has indicated that supporting YCE requires multisector cooperation to create a youth development ecosystem. However, little is known of how to effectively manage such an ecosystem, specifically, in terms of identifying a lead organization and understanding its role. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining collaborative models, mechanisms, and processes of YCE and synthesizing a YCE model. It used a case study design and took a qualitative research approach. In all, 60 participants were selected, including youths, government officials, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, members of local administration associations, community leaders, and parents through purposive sampling methods. Data were collected from project reports, participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions and were analyzed using thematic analysis. A systematic model to support YCE consists of both social and learning processes. The social process involves supporting and actualizing youth learning experiences. The lead organization fulfills three main functions: (1) engagement management, (2) capital management, and (3) knowledge management. Furthermore, the learning processes aimed at supporting youth experiences include studying community issues, creating community development projects, and reflecting on the learning experience. The results of this research indicate changing perspectives on supporting youth development from one-off activities to the connectivity of all sectors to jointly develop youth in a systematic fashion. It helps the policy sector formulate youth development policies valuing all provincial-level participants.