Childlight Youth Assembly

Calling All Changemakers,  

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people? Do you want your voice to shape the future of youth-focused research? We want to share this opportunity to co-design a Youth Assembly for Childlight.  

Trigger Warning 

Childlight is a global child safety institute that partners with organisations to research and tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). Using data-driven insights, we are shining a light on CSEA and helping governments and organisations protect children and young people.  Your input will contribute to our ongoing work and shape future directions for more impactful approaches to youth engagement. 

What is the Childlight Youth Assembly? 

Inspired by citizen assemblies, the Childlight Youth Assembly is a two-day participatory event co-designed and facilitated by the Edinburgh Futures Institute’s Data + Design Lab in collaboration with Childlight, its partners, and young people like you. We aim to create a safe and democratic space where participants will: 

• Learn: Gain insights into Childlight's research on CSEA and the challenges they address. 

• Refine: Share ideas on how Childlight can better engage with young people. 

• Co-create: Work together to develop a Consensus Statement to inform and shape strategies for youth engagement 

Event Details 

Dates: 11th and 12th September 2024, from 2–6 PM  

*All participants are required to attend both days of the event.* 

Location: Central Edinburgh, location TBC 

Format: A model blending in-person activities using physical and digital tools.  

Compensation: Participants will receive a £50 Amazon voucher and reimbursement for any necessary travel expenses. We will require bank details to transfer reimbursement costs. The event will also include catering.  

Who are we looking for?  

We are looking for 20 participants aged 18—24 who reside in and around Edinburgh to attend this two-day event. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to enrich our discussions and outcomes. 

What should you expect from the Assembly? 

The Youth Assembly centres on deliberative dialogue, which involves: 

• Equal respect and value for all voices 

• Welcoming diverse perspectives and viewpoints 

• Collective knowledge exchange to reach a shared understanding 

Our goal is to reason together, not only debate or vote. These discussions will drive our decision-making process, enabling us to co-create recommendations for effective youth engagement in the form of a Consensus Statement. A Consensus Statement is a collective document that captures shared ideas based on discussion and debate. It highlights common ground and core values but also acknowledges diverse experiences. The statement serves as a shared roadmap for future action rather than demanding unanimous agreement.  

Our approach aims to foster inclusive and critical conversations that lead to meaningful outcomes and strengthen youth participation in Childlight's initiatives. 

We are committed to ensuring a supportive environment for all participants and will put the following measures in place:  

• Safeguarding and Disclosure Training: All facilitators will undergo safeguarding and disclosure training and sign the Childlight safeguarding statement. 

• Sensitive Content and Trigger Warnings: Please be aware that we will be sharing work done by Childlight on child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), which may be distressing for some. We will provide deliberate content and trigger warnings in the invitation and application materials and at the start of the assembly sessions. 

• Providing Support: We will provide information on where to find further support before, during, and after the assembly. A designated space will also be available for anyone who needs to take time away from the assembly sessions at the venue. 

Why participate? 

• Influence Policy and Research Decisions: The Youth Assembly offers a unique platform to directly impact how young peoples' voices are integrated into research and policy development. 

• Shape the Landscape of Youth Participation: This Assembly serves as a critical forum to explore and define the optimal model for youth engagement within Childlight. Your input will directly influence the potential establishment of a permanent Youth Advisory Board, fostering ongoing collaboration and active youth participation. 

• Engage in the Development of Participatory Methods: The Assembly itself is an experiment in youth engagement. By participating, you'll be actively involved in assessing its effectiveness, including its benefits, focus areas, frequency of convening, membership structure, and more. 

How to get involved? 

To express your interest in participating in the Childlight Youth Assembly, please complete the application form by Friday, 16th August 2024. If you choose to participate, we will require you to acknowledge that you understand the sensitive nature of the topics that will be discussed. For any questions, concerns or additional information, please contact us at [email protected].  

This is your chance to co-design a meaningful and impactful Youth Assembly, ensuring that young voices are heard in shaping Childlight’s research and strategic direction. We look forward to your participation and contributions. 

By submitting this application, you confirm that all information provided is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. 

Applications must be submitted by Friday, 16th August. Selected participants will be notified by Friday, 23rd August. 

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Central Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom