Collectively shaping the future

 “Young people are 20% of the population. But we are 100% of the future.”  

While the percentage of young people may have been very slightly inflated, it was this framing, born out of a co-design process with rangatahi nearly 8 years ago, that has stuck with me. 

In that session, we were talking about why it’s important to consider youth voice in decision making. 

It’s so simple really. 

When we bring young people into the room, we’re inviting the future into the room too. 

And that is exactly what happened when we welcomed our new Curative Collective in early February. 

The future walked in. 

18 rangatahi from all across the motu, from a range of backgrounds. Full of hope, enthusiasm, creativity, curiosity, tenacity and an endless appetite – yes for food, but even more for learning, for connecting, and for making change. 

While the Curative Collective isn’t the first rōpū of rangatahi we’ve worked with, they are the first group who are intentionally working with us across a variety of kaupapa. 

This group of young people are helping us to design what their experience looks like. What they want to learn. What they want to share. And how to set up the Collective for the future too. 

They’ve already provided feedback to help shape campaigns we’re working on together.  They’re stepping into new learning experiences. They’re out gathering input from their own communities. And they just show up – ready to go. 

This group has an incredible ability to reflect, to step back and look at something with fresh eyes, to think critically and to share and build on each other’s ideas.  

The conversations are honest and real. We talk about what’s important to them and their communities. But they’re also kind and supportive. We listen to each other’s perspectives and different ways of experiencing the world. 

And it’s in this sharing that we start to see what the future holds. 

Strength and inclusivity. 

Curiosity and creativity. 

And, so much possibility.

Meet the Curative Collective: our future makers.

This rōpu will be working alongside Curative for the next year (at least). 

You can get to know more about them and follow their journey at @curative.collective.nz

And, if you’re looking to centre youth perspectives in your own mahi, community and decision making, I’m always up for a cup of tea or a Zoom hui. 

eddy@curative.co.nz 

Eddy