Positive Youth Development is a philosophy that guides communities in the way they organize programs and opportunities for young people. The goal is to support youth so they can reach their full potential as they grow up. The youth development approach emphasizes:

• Positive youth outcomes. Instead of focusing on reducing problems that youth face, communities prepare young people for adulthood by helping them build their strengths, expand their knowledge, and hold onto the values they need to become healthy and productive adults.
   
• Youth voice. Young people are active and equal partners in youth development initiatives. A service done for a young person does not necessarily fall under "youth development," even if it is important and valuable to them. If the young person does not contribute to leading the initiative, it cannot be considered Positive Youth Development.
   
• Involve all youth, not just "high-risk" or "gifted" youth. While it is important to identify and respond to problems faced by some youth (e.g., substance abuse, involvement in violence, premature parenthood), the youth development approach includes youth who do not need such targeted services.
   
• Community collaboration. Everyone has a role to play in making the community a great place to grow up.
   
• Collaboration. Community organizations and institutions, youth, and parents work together toward common goals - and sometimes are required to work in new ways.
   
• Long-term commitment. Communities who do participate in Positive Youth Development provide the appropriate supports that young people need over the first 20 years of their lives.
   

Principles identified by Janis Whitlock (2001). What's So New About Youth Development? Unpublished manuscript, Cornell University.