There is widespread consensus that young people have a right to be directly involved in decisions
that affect them, and an understanding that adults are the ones who must create formal pathways of
engagement. Yet there remains limited empirical information about the best ways to do so.
This paper identifies key lessons gleaned from a multi-method study of twenty-four operating
municipal youth councils throughout the greater Boston region. The insight assembled here is
based on interviews with youth and adult stakeholders, observations of council meetings, a review
of council documents, as well as a review of relevant academic literature. It is intended to guide
practitioners in developing or reforming local youth councils.Boston University Initiative on Citie
