Systemic Advocacy - Office of the Child and Youth Advocate Alberta

Systemic advocacy is about working towards broad changes in policy, practice and legislation that will benefit many young people now and in the future.

This may include:

Engaging communities on issues affecting young people (e.g. youth opioid use).
Encouraging and supporting the child and youth advocacy work of other organizations.
Organizing opportunities for young people to speak to decision-makers (e.g. through participation on our youth council).
Educating the public on the rights of children and youth and the issues that matter to them.

We also raise concerns to public bodies about issues affecting the rights, interests, and well-being of children and youth, and may make recommendations or provide advice on how services and supports for young people could be improved. This is sometimes done through special reports on systemic issues, such as the experiences of young people with disabilities in the child intervention and youth justice systems. Following a report release, we also track and report on the government’s progress meeting the recommendations made.

Watch our video to learn more about how systemic advocacy can help young people.

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