WAR CHILD CANADA YOUTH OPINION POLL
75% of Canadian youth think that young people can make a difference in making the world a better place to live.
We know that you want to make a difference - who’s listening?
We are!
We wanted to know what you had to say about global issues so we conducted the first-ever national opinion poll surveying Canadian youth between the ages of 15-24 on important global issues and Canada’s role in the world in the fall of 2005.
Some key findings from the survey include:
- 8 in 10 youth are concerned about global issues – particularly global conflict, the spread of HIV/AIDS, environmental pollution and hunger and famine in the developing world.
- The vast majority of youth surveyed believe that the level of war and conflict in the world is getter worse, not better, with half of the youth surveyed pessimistic about whether progress will be in their lifetime. At the same time, the majority of youth believe that there is always a way to solve disputes without having to resort to violent conflict.
- Seven in ten youth think that governments and other organizations are not putting enough effort into stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS.
- By a six to one margin, youth prefer that Canada work more closely with the UN than with the US in working to resolve global problems.
- The majority of Canadian youth believe that decision-makers don’t take their views on world issues seriously.
This survey reinforces the work we do at War Child Canada to inspire and inform you about critical global issues. It also reminds us that your voices are key to any meaningful discussions about global accountability and concern. This survey challenges Canadian citizens, politicians, and NGOs to give the opinions of youth the credence they deserve and the opportunity to participate in defining Canada’s role in the world.
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WAR CHILD CANADA YOUTH OPINION POLL
Canadian Youth Speak Out on Global Issues and Canada’s Role in the World
April 2006
In cooperation with Environics Research Group
INTRODUCTION
This survey is the first comprehensive, independent and scientifically-valid national opinion poll of Canadian youth attitudes toward human rights, social justice and international issues.
We undertook this groundbreaking survey because we know from our extensive experience with Canadian youth that they are actively interested – and in many cases already involved – in contributing to the debate and decisions regarding Canada’s role in the world.
It is our goal in presenting this report, to empower and embolden Canadian youth and to help facilitate their meaningful and substantial contribution to local, national and international communities.
It is also our goal to convince policy-makers, community leaders and the Canadian public of the importance, relevance and value of youth participation – not simply because it is fundamental to the principle of inclusiveness within any democracy, but also because, quite simply, youth have a critical and important role to play in the articulation, development and management of the current and future affairs of our country.
War Child Canada is an independent charitable organization dedicated to providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to war-affected children around the world. An important part of this work is engaging Canadian youth to become effective leaders in their local, national and international communities. We have an active national youth programming department whose mandate is to inspire, inform and empower Canadian youth to be critical, creative and compassionate citizens working to organize proactive responses to global humanitarian crises and to engage in the task of creating a more just future.
Yet Canadian youth have never been formally or substantively asked their opinion on global issues in any reliable or nationally comprehensive manner. Until now. War Child Canada was able to carry out this survey due to the generous support received from Canadian Heritage, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Foreign Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and the Simons Foundation.
We are very grateful to the public opinion research firm Environics Research Group for their commitment to this initiative and for conducting the research in a highly professional and scientific manner.
The primary objectives of this research were as follows:
- To identify the issues, priorities and level of engagement of Canadian youth with regard to global and social justice issues.
- To gauge attitudes towards Canadian foreign policy objectives and controversies.
- To measure what sources of information Canadian youth are using regarding these issues.
- To provide both governmental and non-governmental organizations with insights on how to further engage young Canadians on foreign policy issues.
- To assist educators in assessing levels of youth knowledge and awareness concerning important global issues.
- To determine whether the opinions of Canadian youth differ significantly from those of adults regarding these issues and in what ways.
The survey included two main components:
- A survey of 750 Canadians aged 15 to 24. The margin of error for a sample of 750 is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
- A survey of 524 Canadians aged 25 and older. The margin of error for a sample of 524 is plus or minus 4.3 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
Both components of the research were conducted by telephone, using random digit dialling.
A more detailed description of the methodology utilized for these surveys is provided in the Methodology section of The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll. The final questionnaire used in the survey can be found in the Appendix at the conclusion of this report. The results are described throughout the report as percentages unless otherwise noted.
The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll consists of a detailed presentation of the survey findings. As such, it is intended as an important and hopefully appropriate starting point for discussion, debate and dialogue among and between youth, educators, policy-makers, government officials, community workers, NGOs and the general public concerning the meaning of and possibilities inherent in the survey findings.
The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll challenges Canadian citizens, politicians, educators, NGOs and others to give the opinions of youth the attention they deserve and the opportunity to participate in defining Canada’s role in the world. It reaffirms the widely-held belief that Canadians want to be engaged in the world and that youth want Canada to play an even greater leadership role in international affairs.
While the survey points to the need for both government and non-governmental actors to strengthen their work to engage and educate Canadian youth on global issues, the final picture that emerges is encouraging. To that end, the survey finds that youth are very optimistic about the prospects of solving human rights abuses, hunger, war and conflict. For their hope and sense of possibility alone, Canadian youth are worth listening to.
We need to make room for their voices.
Dr Eric Hoskins & Dr. Samantha Nutt
President & Executive Director
War Child Canada
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overview
Canadians live in an increasingly interconnected world. Technology, media, trade, security, disease and the environment have no borders, drawing Canada – and all Canadians – into a complex reality where concepts of “local” and “global” can seem anachronistic: what happens locally, now matters globally, and what happens globally, now matters locally. We truly have become citizens of the world.
Canadian youth are at the forefront of this interdependent world, accessing information and utilizing the immediacy of new technology to shape their opinions and develop their vision for the Canada of the future.
Will the Canada of the future be a leader in human rights, good governance, democratic development and global consensus-building through its actions and support of important institutions such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court? Do these issues matter to the next generation, a generation that will be shaping the nation’s foreign policy and defining, in their own terms, what role Canada will play in the world?
It is surprising that, despite the importance of knowing what young Canadians think about global issues such as poverty, war and conflict, AIDS and environmental pollution, no comprehensive national survey has ever been undertaken to measure their thoughts and opinions – until now.
Most youth claim to follow global issues somewhat closely, but a large majority has never heard of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Additionally, considerable proportions of between four and five in ten are not familiar with developing world debt, are unable to name a country in which human rights abuses are taking place, or cannot name an NGO that is active in addressing global issues.
This lack of awareness may be impacting on their concern about these issues. Although most Canadian youth express deep concern about the specific global issues surveyed, sizeable minorities of between four and five in ten are less passionate about these issues. However, the survey also finds that there is a direct connection between the degree to which youth follow global issues and their concern about these issues, with strong concern about all these issues being higher among those who very closely follow global issues.
Despite their lack of awareness about some global issues, Canadian youth hold some very definite opinions about Canadian foreign policy. An overwhelming proportion of youth believe that Canada should be oriented toward an internationalist direction and work more closely with the United Nations rather than the United States in working to resolve global problems. However, Canadian youth do not hold an anti-American stance, but are more ambivalent on the issue of the United States. While youth think it is in Canada’s best interests to have cordial relations with the United States, they also believe that Canada should be doing more to preserve a separate cultural identity.
Concerning Canada’s role in the world, youth believe that peacekeeping is Canada’s most positive contribution to the world and the area where the country can best take a leadership role, and, while most believe that our military is too small to carry out its duties, Canada is given its highest rating for its job in peacekeeping. Youth are much less impressed with Canada’s response to HIV/AIDS in Africa and the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region. Also, while only one in ten identify aid to poor developing countries as a leadership role for Canada, most think the federal government should be spending more in this area.
When it comes to their role on world issues, most Canadian youth believe that they can make at least some difference in changing the world and making it a better place. Moreover, the view that youth can make a big difference is higher among youth who are more engaged in global issues. However, most youth (even those who believe they can make some difference) are cynical about how seriously their views are taken by decision-makers.
The survey finds that not only do Canadian youth feel they can make a difference in changing the world, most indicate a degree of social involvement. Two-thirds report having donated their time or money to a cause or charity within the past year, including one-third who report having done this within the past month. Moreover, reported donation of time or money within the past month is higher among those who are more engaged in global issues.
Finally, when it comes to the future, most youth are quite optimistic about the prospects of solving global issues. They are most optimistic that major progress will be made in their lifetime in solving human rights abuse, and least so about reducing war and conflict. However, the survey also indicates that significant proportions of youth (between one-quarter and one-half) hold pessimistic views about the future prospects for any of these global issues. Moreover, those who very closely follow global issues are more pessimistic about the prospects for hunger and famine in the developing world, terrorism, and war and conflict.
It is also notable that, despite stereotypes about there being a major “generation gap” in attitudes towards global issues, Canadian adults and youth hold very similar views on these issues. There is some evidence that, as people get older, they inform themselves more about public and international affairs in general. However, there are very few real differences in underlying values between youth and older generations when it comes to these issues.
Key findings
Awareness and concern about global issues
Most youth express concern about a range of world issues, most notably environmental pollution, the spread of HIV/AIDS and famine in the developing world. Concern is noticeably higher among women and among francophones.
Two-thirds of youth claim to follow global issues in the news at some level and within this there is a core of about one in six who follow global issues very closely. As youth get older and into adulthood, they tend to follow global issues more closely. The profile of youth who most closely follow global issues tends to be urban and from more affluent households.
Canadian youth remain relatively optimistic that major progress will be made in their lifetimes in solving major global issues. They are most optimistic about progress on human rights abuses and on stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. They are less optimistic about terrorism and war and conflict.
Sources of information
The main sources of information about global issues are first and foremost television news, followed by newspapers and by the Internet. It is notable that youth who follow global issues most closely are more likely to be getting their information from newspapers and the Internet sites – chiefly television news and newspaper websites.
Youth tend to regard teachers, parents, and films and television as all being important sources of information. Famous people who have spoken out on issues are much less likely to be regarded as important sources on these issues. At the same time, famous people may be important when it comes to raising awareness of various global issues – even if they are not regarded as information sources.
Most Canadian youth are learning about world issues in school, but for the most part this appears to be largely traditional topics such as wars and lack of peace, that are taught in the context of any history class. Less attention is apparently being devoted to more contemporary world issues such as global inequities, human rights, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, terrorism and environmental sustainability.
War and conflict
Youth are relatively pessimistic when it comes to war and conflict in the world. They tend to think that the level of conflict in the world is getting worse and this sentiment is particularly strong among those who follow global issues most closely. There is also a strong consensus that civilians in conflict zones are suffering much more than are soldiers doing the fighting.
At the same time, youth do not accept the notion that war and conflict are inevitable or even ever necessary. The vast majority believe that there is always a way (or must be a way) to solve disputes without resorting to violent conflict.
Hunger and famine
Youth are also very concerned about the problem of famine and hunger in the world, but they are also relatively optimistic that major progress will be made to address the problem. While many think hunger is a problem that is worsening, the majority believe it is getting no worse or is even getting better.
Environmental issues
Overall concern about the environment is high among youth, although somewhat less so than among adults. However, most youth are also relatively optimistic that progress on the environment will be made in their lifetimes. To the extent that Canadian youth are concerned about the environment, their focus is on air pollution, and global warming and climate change.
For the most part, youth regard industry as being the greatest threat to the environment because it produces chemicals and waste. But many feel that, in fact, the greatest threat to the environment comes instead from consumers who demand products and expect a certain lifestyle.
HIV/AIDS
There is widespread concern about HIV/AIDS among Canadian youth. They overwhelmingly believe that not enough is being done to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the world, largely because governments do not regard this as a priority, and to a lesser extent because of the high costs of treatment and prevention.
Developing world debt
Most youth claim to know something about the issue of debts owed by developing countries, but only one in ten claim to be truly knowledgeable about this issue. There is little consensus as to the main causes of this problem. A plurality see it as being caused by corrupt governments in the developing world, but many also believe it results from the weak economies of developing countries.
Terrorism concerns
About half of Canadian youth express a great deal of concern about the possibility of terrorist attack on Canada and almost as many consider an attack to be likely within the next two years. This concern correlates strongly with the belief that the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse.
Despite this concern, most youth are satisfied with the Canadian government’s response to terrorism in the form of new laws and heightened security measures, although a significant minority consider these measures to be too weak. Despite recent controversy about some security measures going too far and leading to abuses, fewer than one in ten youth express such concerns.
Human rights
Most youth can name at least one country where they think that human rights abuses are taking place. The most commonly identified countries are China, Iraq and Afghanistan. While relatively few mention Canada (or the United States) as examples of countries where human rights abuses are taking place, a large majority of youth acknowledge that human rights abuses sometimes or often take place in Canada.
Racial minorities are most widely identified as the groups most likely to be victimized by human rights abuses in Canada, followed by cultural minorities, gays and lesbians, and women. Notably, one in ten say that teens and youth themselves are most likely to experience human rights abuses.
One-quarter of youth in Canada report that their human rights, or those of someone they know, have been violated. Youth would most likely turn to the police in such situations, and to a lesser extent to their parents.
Canadian youth are divided as to whether multi-national corporations play a positive or negative role in promoting human rights and democracy in the world today. As youth get older and follow global issues more closely, they tend to view the role of corporations more negatively.
UN human rights treaties
Most youth are unfamiliar with any of the major UN international human rights treaties. At the same time, however, a large majority believe such treaties make some difference in protecting human rights around the world, and they overwhelmingly support their adoption by Canada.
NGOs
About one-half of youth are able to identify at least one NGO active in addressing global issues, the most commonly known being the Red Cross and UNICEF. The vast majority believe these organizations have at least some impact on the problems they are addressing. It is notable that about half of youth cannot name any NGOs at all.
Impact of youth action
Almost all Canadian youth – especially those who follow global issues closely – believe that young people can make a difference in making the world a better place to live. However, this view is tempered by the fact that most youth also believe that decision-makers do not take young people’s views on world issues seriously.
Just over two-thirds report having donated their time or money to a cause or charity within the past year. Helping or making a difference is identified as the main motivation for such efforts.
Canada-U.S. relations
Canadian youth express ambivalent feelings about Canada’s relations with the United States. On the one hand, the vast majority think it is in the best interests of Canada to have at least somewhat close relations with the United States. On the other hand, half also think Canada should be doing more to develop a separate cultural identity from the Americans. Youth in Quebec are noticeably less likely to want close relations with the U.S.
By almost a six-to-one margin, youth also prefer that Canada work more closely with the UN rather than with the U.S. in working to resolve global problems.
Canada’s role in the world
Peacekeeping, and to a lesser extent foreign aid, are seen as Canada’s most positive contributions to the world. This high ranking of peacekeeping is consistent with the strong support for working more closely with the UN than with the U.S.
Similarly, when youth are asked in what area Canada can best take a leadership role in the world – peacekeeping is the clear winner. Smaller proportions name environmental protection, and promotion of democracy and human rights. The image of Canada as an international peacekeeper may have attained an almost iconic significance.
Just over half of youth think Canada’s military is currently too small, compared with very few who think it is too big. This finding is consistent with the strong identification of Canada with peacekeeping.
When youth are asked to rate how good a job Canada is doing in responding to a variety of global issues, it is clear that they distinguish between some issues where Canada is seen to be responding very well, such as peacekeeping, the response to the Asian tsunami and to a lesser extent promoting human rights; and other issues where Canada gets rated more poorly such as debt relief, HIV/AIDS in Africa and the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region.
More than half of youth think the federal government should spend more on aid to poorer countries. This view is particularly strong among younger people and women.
Youth compared to adult attitudes
For the most part, the views and attitudes of Canadian youth on global issues do not differ very much from the views of adult Canadians 25 years of age and over. The few significant differences can be summarized as follows:
Adults are more concerned about the environment than youth, but they are somewhat less concerned about HIV/AIDS.
Adults are almost twice as likely as youth to claim to follow global issues very closely. But they are much less likely than youth to be citing the Internet as a source of information.
Adults are more familiar than youth with the problem of debts owed by developing countries, but they are also more likely to believe that the problem is largely caused by corrupt governments in the developing world.
Adults are more likely to feel that Canadian government measures to combat terrorism are too weak.
To the extent that adults think that there are human rights abuses in Canada, they are more likely than youth to think of Aboriginal peoples as being likely victims of such abuse. If adults were themselves the victim of a human rights abuse, they would be more likely to go to a lawyer or the Human Rights Commission for help.
Most adults have heard of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child, but they are also more sceptical than youth about whether these international treaties actually have any impact.
Adults are less likely than youth to think that corporations play a positive role in advancing the cause of human rights in the world.
Adults are even more likely than youth to regard peacekeeping as Canada’s most important contribution to the world and to think that Canada’s military is too small.
Adults are less optimistic than youth about the chances of progress in their lifetime on major global issues.
GLOBAL ISSUES IN GENERAL
World issues learned in school
Youth are most likely to identify war and peace, or world hunger and poverty as world issues they learned about in school.
Youth were asked, without prompting, to name any world issues that they learned about in school.
Canadian youth are most likely to identify war/lack of peace/territorial disputes (33%) as an issue that they learned about in school. Smaller proportions identify starvation, world hunger or poverty (20%), terrorism (15%), environment, pollution or global warming (11%), and diseases such as AIDS (5%). Other issues are mentioned, but none by more than four percent of respondents. One-quarter (25%) of youth say that they either did not learn about any world issues at all in school (12%) or have no opinion (13%).
Response to this question varies little across regional and demographic cohorts. However, mention of war or lack of peace is higher among youth in Quebec and those from more affluent households. It is also higher among youth who very closely follow global issues. The issue of terrorism is also more likely to be identified by youth in Quebec. Youth from English Canada and those who are no longer in school are most like to say that they have not learned about any global issues at all in school.
Concern about specific global issues
Large majorities of youth express concern about each of six global issues.
In this question, youth were read a list of six global issues and asked about their degree of concern about each issue.
Large majorities of more than eight in ten youth are at least “somewhat” concerned about each of the global issues surveyed. Looking at those who express strong concern about these issues, there is slightly greater concern for the spread of HIV/AIDS (59% very concerned), environmental pollution (59%), and hunger and famine in the developing world (58%). But one-half are also very concerned about war and conflict (53%), human rights issues (53%) and terrorism (51%).
Strong concern about all of these six global issues is significantly higher among young women than it is among young men. This gap is most pronounced when it comes to levels of concern over the spread of HIV/AIDS, where young women are 17 points more likely to be very concerned than are young men. Not surprisingly, strong concern about all these issues is also higher among youth who very closely follow global issues.
Strong concern for most of these global issues is also higher among youth in Quebec than among those in English Canada. This is particularly notable in the cases of concern levels over human rights and environmental pollution.
Comparisons between the levels of concern among Canadian youth and concern among adults aged 25 and older indicate some significant differences. Youth are more likely than adults to be very concerned about the spread of HIV/AIDS (59% versus 51%), while adults are more inclined to be very concerned about environmental pollution (67% versus 59%).
Follow global issues
Two-thirds of Canadian youth report following global issues at least somewhat closely.
To what extent do youth keep abreast of world issues? To get a measure of this, youth were asked how closely they follow global issues in the news these days.
Two-thirds report that they very (15%) or somewhat (53%) closely following these issues. A significant minority of one-third say they follow these issues not very much (27%) or not at all (5%).
We have noted throughout this report that those who describe themselves as following global issues “very closely” often differ from other youth in their attitudes towards global issues. In general, as young Canadians get older, they begin to follow global issues more and more closely. Older youth aged 21-24, those in university, those living in larger communities, and those from the most affluent households are more likely to very closely follow global issues. It is clear that among teenagers between 15 and 17, who are still in high school, following global issues very closely is still relatively uncommon.
This question also reveals a significant difference between the views of youth and adults. Adults are almost twice as likely as youth to report following global issues very closely (27% versus 15%). Given that older youth tend to follow global issues more closely than younger youth, this would appear to show a pattern whereby Canadians develop more and more interest in global issues as they age.
Sources of information on global issues
Most likely source of information
Television news is identified by youth as the most likely source of information on global issues, but considerable proportions also cite newspapers and the Internet.
In this question, youth who follow global issues at some level were asked where they are most likely to get their information about these issues.
Television news (75%) is identified by youth who follow global issues at all as a likely source of information about global issues. Considerable proportions also turn to newspapers (51%) and the Internet (39%). Fewer cite radio news (14%), friends and family (13%), or classes in school (8%). Other sources of information are mentioned, but none by more than four percent of youth.
Television news is the most likely source of information on global issues among all regional and demographic cohorts, but it is more likely to be mentioned by youth with less education.
Newspapers are more often mentioned as the most likely source of information among youth aged 18 to 24, those with more education and from more affluent households, and those living in larger communities. Youth in Quebec are a lot less likely than those in English Canada to turn to newspapers for information about global issues (37% versus 55%). Newspapers are also more likely to be identified as a likely information source by youth who follow global issues very closely.
Mention of the Internet as a source is higher among young men than it is among young women. It is also mentioned more by those with higher education and those who were born outside Canada. The Internet is also more likely to be an information source for youth who follow global issues very closely.
The one significant difference between youth and adults in terms of likely sources of information is in use of the Internet to access information about global issues. Youth are far more likely to be using the Internet as a source (39% versus 24%).
Use of Internet
Most youth do use the Internet to access information about global issues. They tend to visit television news and newspaper websites, and Google or other search engines.
Youth who follow global issues at all and did not mention using the Internet, top-of-mind, as a likely source of information on global issues were asked if they ever use the Internet to access this information. One-third (32%) of this group report using the Internet to access this information.
Youth who report using the Internet to access information on global issues were then asked what types of Internet sites they have gone to for this information.
The most commonly identified Internet sites are television news websites (35%), Google or search engines (33%), or newspaper websites (25%). A smaller proportion mention MSN (10%). Other more specific Internet sites are mentioned, but none by more than four percent.
Television news websites are more likely to be identified by young men, older youth, and anglophones. They are also more likely to be mentioned by those who follow global issues very closely.
Google or other search engines are more likely to be mentioned by younger youth aged 15 to 17, and those who do not follow global issues very much.
Newspaper websites are more often identified by older youth, francophones, and those who follow global issues very closely.
Importance of sources of information
Youth identify teachers, parents and films and television as their most important sources of information on global issues. Of least importance are famous people who have spoken out on these issues.
To get a better understanding of personal sources of information on global issues, youth were asked the importance of specific sources of information for them personally in terms of learning about global issues.
Three-quarters of youth say teachers, parents, and films and television (75% each) are each at least somewhat important sources of information in terms of learning about global issues. Six in ten (60%) say friends play an important role in learning about these issues. Far fewer (39%) see famous people who have spoken out on these issues as an important resource. This despite the publicity that has recently surrounded attempts by some famous people to draw attention to various global issues. It may be that famous people help to raise the profile of global issues – but are not regarded as information sources.
Looking at the proportions who say these sources are very important in their learning about global issues, we find the same ranking as that found for overall importance. About one-third each say teachers (35%), parents (34%), and films and television (31%) are very important sources of information on global issues. Two in ten (20%) say the same about friends, and only one in ten (10%) rank famous people as a very important source of information.
Youth aged 15 to 17 are more likely than older youth to say teachers and parents are very important sources of information on global issues, while those aged 21 to 24 are more likely than their younger counterparts to mention friends as a very important resource.
Youth from the most affluent households are more likely than others to say films and television are very important sources of information on global issues.
The least educated youth and those born outside Canada are somewhat more likely than others to see famous people as a very important source of information on these issues. This again may be indicative of how famous people may be key in raising awareness of issues, even if they are not seen as sources of information.
Youth who follow global issues very closely are more likely than others to say most of these sources are very important in learning about these issues.
Adults do not differ greatly from youth in terms of how they rate the importance of these sources of information. It should be noted that almost half of adults regard their children as a very or somewhat important source of information about global issues, with one in five (19%) describing their children as a very important source.
SPECIFIC GLOBAL ISSUES
In this section of the report, we look at youth attitudes towards specific global issues, such as war and conflict, hunger and famine, the environment, HIV/AIDS, developing world debt, terrorism and human rights abuses.
War and conflict
Perception of war and conflict in the world
Six in ten youth think the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse. Very few think it is getting better.
There are more than 30 wars in the world today and many of them are civil wars.
An overwhelming proportion of youth express at least some concern about the issue of war and conflict, including just over one-half who express strong concern, and most hold negative perceptions as to the current level of war and conflict in the world. However, youth are divided as to whether major progress will be made in their lifetime to solve this global issue.
In terms of their perceptions about current conditions, six in ten (58%) youth believe the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse. About one-third (35%) think it is staying the same, while few (6%) believe it is getting better.
Majorities in most regions think the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse, but British Columbian youth are divided as to whether it is getting worse or staying about the same (47% and 45%).
The perception that the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse is higher among youth who were born outside of Canada than among those who were born in Canada (69% versus 56%). It is also higher among those who most closely follow global issues.
Who suffers more from today’s wars and conflicts?
By an eight-to-one margin, youth think civilians living in conflict zones rather than soldiers doing the fighting are the ones who suffer more from today’s wars and conflicts.
Wars and conflicts have an impact on the soldiers who are doing the fighting, as well as civilians who live in the conflict zones. The difference between today’s wars and those of the past are that a large majority – up to 90 percent – of those killed are civilians, rather than soldiers.
The survey finds that youth are aware of this situation. By an eight-to-one margin, youth think civilians who are living in the conflict zones suffer more than soldiers who are doing the fighting (80% to 10%). One in ten (10%) reject these options, responding that both groups suffer equally.
The perception that civilians rather than soldiers suffer more from today’s wars and conflicts is the consensus across all regional and demographic cohorts.
Using war and conflict to resolve disputes
The vast majority of youth believe that there is always a way to solve disputes without having to resort to violent conflict.
Some people believe that disputes can be resolved without resorting to violent conflict, but others believe that, in some cases, violent conflict is the only way to resolve disputes. To assess youth’s attitudes on this issue, they were presented with these two points of view and asked which is closer to their own.
By a margin of three-to-one, youth take the view that there is always a way to solve disputes without having to resort to violent conflict (73%) as opposed to the view that, in some cases, violent conflict is the only way to resolve disputes (25%).
The position that disputes can be resolved without resorting to violent conflict is widespread across all regional and demographic cohorts, but is stronger among young women than among young men (83% versus 63%).
In contrast, young men are twice as likely as young women to believe that in some cases violent conflict is the only way to resolve disputes (34% versus 16%).
Later in the survey, youth were asked about whether they thought the Canadian Forces ought to be bigger, smaller or the same size. Not surprisingly, the belief that violent conflict is sometimes the only way to resolve disputes is greater among youth who think the current size of Canada’s military is too small.
Hunger and famine
Perception of hunger and famine in the world
Youth are divided as to whether the problem of hunger and famine in the world is getting worse or staying about the same.
In 2000, the United Nations adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), consisting of eight goals to be achieved by 2015, one of which is to halve poverty in the world. A report released by the United Nations in June 2005 assessing the MDG stated that rates of poor and hungry people in Africa are on the rise. The report went on to say that, despite deepening poverty in Africa, the world as a whole might still meet the goal of cutting poverty in half, mainly because of progress in India, China and other Asian countries.
As was noted earlier, the survey finds that an overwhelming proportion of youth express at least some concern about hunger and famine in the developing world, including six in ten who express strong concern, but they are divided on whether famine and hunger in the world is worsening or remaining stable. However, most are optimistic that major progress can be made on this issue in their lifetime.
When asked to assess the current situation of the problem of hunger and famine in the world, youth are divided as to whether it is getting worse (43%) or staying about the same (42%). Only 13 percent think the problem is getting better.
Although, nationally, youth are divided on this question, opinion on this question varies somewhat across the regions. Youth in Ontario are more likely to think the problem of hunger and famine in the world is getting worse, while youth in British Columbia are less likely to think its getting worse.
There are also variations in response according to age. The youngest (15 to 17 years) and oldest (21 to 24 years) youth cohorts are more likely to think the problem of hunger and famine in the world is getting worse.
Another factor that drives response to this question is the degree to which youth follow global issues. The more youth report that they follow global issues closely, the more likely they are to think that the problem of hunger and famine in the world is getting worse.
Environment
Most important global environmental issue
Air pollution and global warming/climate change are seen as the top environmental issues facing the world today.
The survey finds that an overwhelming proportion of youth express at least some concern about environmental pollution, including six in ten who express strong concern. But when asked about the future, most are optimistic that there will be major progress on this issue in their lifetime.
To assess what are the global environmental issues of greatest concern to youth, respondents were asked to identify the most important environmental issue facing the world today (asked unprompted, without offering response choices). About one-quarter of youth identify air pollution (27%), or global warming/climate change (24%). Smaller proportions cite ozone depletion (7%), water pollution (6%), industrial pollution (5%) and forest loss/clear cutting (5%). Other issues are identified, but none by more than three percent of youth. The recent publicity about climate change and the controversies about the Kyoto Accord have played a role in raising the profile of climate change as an environmental issue.
Identification of air pollution as the most important environmental issue is higher among francophones, youth who are out of school and among youth who have never travelled outside of Canada.
The view that global warming/climate change is the most important environmental issue is more prevalent among youth who are still in school as well among youth who have travelled to Europe.
Industry versus consumers as greatest threat
Youth are somewhat more inclined to see industry rather than consumers as the greatest threat to the environment.
The environment is impacted on by both the activities of industry in the production of goods and services, and the consumption of these commodities by individual consumers. Which of these activities are seen as the greatest threat to the environment?
Youth are somewhat more inclined to see industry rather than consumers as the greater threat to the environment. One-half (51%) of youth subscribe to the view that the greatest threat to our environment comes from industry, which produces chemicals and waste that threaten our air, water and soil. A smaller proportion (38%) believe instead that the greatest threat comes from consumers, who buy, use and dispose of the products that industry provides, driven by certain lifestyle expectations. One in ten (11%) insist that both industry and consumers are equally responsible for the problems affecting the environment.
Views on whether industry or consumers are the greatest threat to the environment vary somewhat across the regions. A majority of youth in Ontario think industry poses the greatest threat to the environment. A plurality of Quebec youth also agree with this view, but are more than twice as likely than average to see both industry and consumers as equal threats. Youth living in Alberta and British Columbia are divided on the issue.
Country of birth is a major factor in views on this question. Youth who were born outside of Canada are far more likely than those who were born in Canada to see industry as the greatest threat to the environment (64% versus 48%). In contrast, youth who were born in Canada are far more inclined than those who were born outside of Canada to think consumers pose the greatest threat (40% versus 26%).
HIV/AIDS
Efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS
Seven in ten youth think governments and other organizations are not putting enough effort into stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world. They believe this is because the issue is not considered a priority or is too expensive to deal with.
According to statistics from the United Nations, close to 40 million people are living with HIV and close to five million were newly infected with HIV in the past year.
As mentioned earlier, the survey finds that an overwhelming majority of youth express at least some concern about the spread of HIV/AIDS, including six in ten who are very concerned. Most have negative perceptions on current efforts by governments and other organizations to stop the spread of this disease. At the same time, most are also optimistic that major progress will be made to solve this problem within their lifetime.
When youth are asked to assess current efforts of governments and other organizations in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world, the findings indicate that youth are not very positive. Seven in ten (71%) think there is not enough effort on stopping the spread of this disease. One-quarter (25%) think there is about the right amount of effort on stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, while almost none (2%) think too much effort is being made on this front.
There is a consensus across all regional and demographic cohorts that not enough effort is being made to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, but this view is most prevalent among anglophone youth (75%) and those who were born in Canada (72%). Those who follow global issues more closely are also more likely to agree with this view.
Those who think not enough effort is being made to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS were asked what they believe are the main reasons for this lack of action.
The reasons most commonly identified for the lack of action are that the issue is not considered enough of a priority (22%), or the cost is too high or countries cannot afford it (19%). Smaller proportions identify governments not caring about the problem (13%), ignorance (10%), no priority given to helping Africa or poor developing countries (7%), lack of money or funding (6%), and lack of education or understanding of the problem (6%). Other reasons are mentioned, but none by more than four percent of youth. Only one percent of youth identify moral or religious attitudes towards sex as being the reason for inaction.
Residents of Quebec differ somewhat from those in other parts of the country as to the reasons for inaction on stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. Quebecers are somewhat more likely to mention the cost being too high and governments not caring about the problem, but are less inclined to mention that the issue is not considered enough of a priority.
Young men are more likely than young women to mention the cost being too high (24% versus 14%), while women are more likely than men to cite ignorance (13% versus 7%).
Youth who were born in Canada are more likely to say the issue of HIV/AIDS is not considered enough of a priority (23%), while youth who were not born in Canada are more likely to cite ignorance (18%).
Developing world debt
Familiarity with developing world debt
A majority of youth claim to have some familiarity with the issue of developing world debt, but very few are very familiar with this issue.
In June 2005, the G8 finance ministers agreed to cancel $40 billion (U.S.) in foreign debt owed by some of the world’s poorest nations. Eighteen countries immediately benefited from the decision, with others to follow later. Although anti-poverty groups felt that this was a positive step, they felt that major issues on debt relief were left unresolved, including damaging economic conditions attached to debt relief, indebted countries not included in the deal and debts that were not covered by the deal.
When youth are told that many poor, developing countries owe hundreds of millions of dollars in loans provided by other governments and world organizations, just over one-half (53%) report being very or somewhat familiar about this issue. The proportion who say they are “not at all familiar” (20%) with this issue outweighs that who say they are “very familiar” (13%).
Reported familiarity with the issue of developing world debt is lower than average among youth in Quebec (39% versus 53% nationally).
Reported familiarity is somewhat higher among young men (58%) than among young women (49%). It is also higher among youth aged 21 to 24 and those living in larger communities.
Reported familiarity is higher among youth born outside of Canada (62%). It is also higher among those who have travelled to Europe, Latin America and other countries (not including the U.S.).
Reported familiarity is also higher among youth who follow global issues more closely, particularly those who follow these issues very closely.
Adults are far more likely than youth to report familiarity with the issue of developing world debt (69% versus 53%) and 20 percent say they are very familiar.
Main cause of poverty and debt in developing world
Corrupt governments in poor developing countries and weak developing world economies are most often mentioned as the main reasons for massive poverty and debt in poor developing countries. One-quarter are unable to identify a reason for this problem.
Youth were asked what they believe is the main cause of the massive poverty and debt owed by poor developing countries. There is no real consensus as to the cause of this. The largest proportions identify corrupt governments in poor developing countries (15%) or weak, developing economies or economies in poor developing countries (11%). Other reasons mentioned include lack of resources or money or help (9%), the gap between rich and poor countries (8%), countries borrowed or were lent too much money (6%), conflict or war (5%), and greed of developed countries or the rich or exploitation (5%). Other causes are identified, but none by more than four percent of youth. One quarter of youth (26%) have no opinion as to the cause of developing world debt.
There is very little variation in response to this question among regional and demographic cohorts, but older youth and those who very closely follow global issues are more likely to identify corrupt governments in poor developing countries.
Adults are almost twice as likely as youth to identify corrupt governments in poor developing countries as the main cause of massive poverty and debt owed by poor, developing countries (27% versus 15%).
Terrorism
Perception of terrorist threat to Canada
Just over four in ten youth think it is likely that Canada will be the victim of a major terrorist attack within the next two years.
As mentioned earlier, the survey finds that an overwhelming majority of youth express some concern about terrorism, including five in ten who are very concerned, but most are optimistic that major progress will be made to solve this problem within their lifetime.
Although concern about terrorism is high, and Canada has been mentioned on an Al-Qaeda list of countries that are potential targets, most youth think a major terrorist attack in Canada is unlikely, though a considerable minority think it is a likely event.
When youth are asked about the likelihood of a terrorist attack on Canada, just over four in ten youth believe it is very (12%) or somewhat (31%) likely that Canada
will be the victim of a major terrorist attack within the next two years. More than one-half believe this is not very likely (42%) or not at all likely (13%).
The belief in the likelihood of a major terrorist attack in Canada is higher among youth born in Canada than among those born outside of Canada (45% versus 31%).
It is also higher among youth who follow global issues more closely, and among those who think the level of war and conflict in the world is getting worse.
Perception of Canadian response to terrorism
Two-thirds of youth are satisfied with the Canadian government’s response to terrorism. More think the response is too weak than think it is too strong.
Youth were asked to assess the Canadian government’s response to terrorism, in the form of new laws and heightened security measures. Two-thirds of youth (65%) think the response has been about right given the level of threat involved. Among the remainder, the proportion who think the response is too weak (24%) is three times as high as the proportion who think it is too strong (8%).
Majorities across all regional and demographic cohorts are satisfied that the Canadian government’s response to terrorism has been about right and not either too weak or too strong.
The perception that the Canadian government’s response to terrorism has been too weak is higher among youth in Quebec, those who follow global issues very closely, those born in Canada, those who are very concerned about terrorism and those who think that a terrorist attack on Canada is likely.
Youth are much more likely than adults to be satisfied with government’s response to terrorism (65% versus 50%). Adults are much more likely than youth to think the Canadian government’s response to terrorism has been too weak (38% versus 24%).
Human rights abuses
Awareness of countries that abuse human rights
Iraq and China are most often mentioned as countries in which human rights abuses are taking place. Four in ten youth are unable to name any country that fits this description.
When youth are asked about their awareness of any specific countries in the world in which human rights abuses are taking place today, the largest proportions identify Iraq and China. Smaller proportions identify Afghanistan, Africa in general, Iran, the United States, India, Asia in general, Arab countries in general, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, North Korea and Rwanda. Four percent also mention Canada in this context. Three in ten youth mention a variety of other countries, but none by more than three percent. A significant minority say there are no countries in the world that fit this description (15%) or are unable to offer an opinion (24%).
Mentions of specific countries do not differ significantly across regional and demographic cohorts. Those born outside Canada are more likely to mention China, India and Pakistan. However, there are variations in ability to identify a specific country in which human rights abuses take place. Francophone youth are more likely than anglophone youth to be able to identify a specific country in which human rights abuses are taking place (31% say none or offer no opinion versus 41% among anglophones). The ability to identify a specific country that fits this description is higher among those who have travelled to Europe, Latin America or another country (not including the U.S.), and those who follow global issues more closely.
Adults are more likely than youth to be able to identify a country in which human rights abuses take place (28% say none or offer no opinion versus 39% among youth).
Perception of people in Canada experiences human rights abuses
Two-thirds of youth think people in Canada at least sometimes experience human rights abuses. Members of visible minority groups, such as blacks, Asians and Arabs, are seen to be the groups most likely to be victimized.
When youth are asked about their perceptions of human rights abuses in Canada, two-thirds think that people in Canada often (22%) or sometimes (42%) experience human rights abuses. One-third think people in Canada rarely (30%) or never (4%) have this experience.
The perception that people in Canada at least sometimes experience human rights abuses is higher among youth in Quebec (77%) than among those in English Canada (60%). It is also higher among young women, youth living in smaller communities, those born in Canada and those who have never travelled outside of Canada and the United States.
It is notable that those who very closely follow global issues are less likely than others to think that people in Canada experience human rights abuses. Those who think that people in Canada often, sometimes or rarely experience human rights abuses were asked what types of groups or individuals they think are most likely to experience human rights abuses here in Canada.
Youth are most likely to identify racial minorities, such as blacks, Asians, Arabs (42%), as the types of individuals or groups that are most likely to experience human rights abuses here in Canada. Smaller proportions identify cultural minorities (13%), gays and lesbians (12%), women (12%), children, teens or youth (11%), poor people (10%), Aboriginals (9%), immigrants, new immigrants or refugees (8%), and people with certain religious faiths (7%). Other groups or individuals are identified, but none by more than three percent of youth.
Racial minorities are the most often identified group across all regional and demographic cohorts, but are most likely to be mentioned by older youth, anglophones, those living in larger communities and those who have travelled outside of Canada.
Anglophone youth are also more likely than francophone youth to identify gays and lesbians and Aboriginals, while francophones are more likely to mention women.
Those who follow global issues very closely are more likely than others to identify cultural minorities, gays and lesbians, and people with certain religious faiths.
Adults are almost three times as likely as youth to identify Aboriginals as the group most likely to experience human rights abuses here in Canada (23% versus 9%).
Personal experience with human rights violations
One-quarter of youth report their own human rights or those of someone else they know have been violated. A plurality would go to the police if their rights were violated.
When youth are asked about their personal experience, a total of one-quarter report that their own human rights (4%), those of someone else they know (15%) or both (7%) have been violated.
Reported personal experience of human rights violations is higher among young women, youth aged 18 to 24 and those born outside of Canada. It is also higher among those who follow global issues very closely and those who think that people in Canada often experience human rights abuses.
When asked where they would most likely go for help if their human rights or those of a close friend were being threatened, the largest proportion (34%) of youth say they would go to the police. Smaller proportions mention parents (19%), government officials (10%), Human Rights Commission (7%), lawyer, legal aid or court (6%), friends (5%) and organizations or NGOs that fight for human rights (5%). Other people or organizations are identified, but none by more than four percent of youth. A further 17 percent do not know where they would go for help.
Youth aged 15 to 20 are more likely than those aged 21 to 24 to say they would go to their parents, while those aged 21 to 24 are more likely than those aged 15 to 20 to say they would go to a lawyer.
Those born in Canada are more likely than those born outside of Canada to say they would go to their parents.
Anglophone youth are more likely to say they would go to the police, while francophones are more likely to say they would go to the Human Rights Commission, nd
organizations or NGOs that fight for human rights.
Youth are somewhat more likely than adults to say they would go to the police (34% versus 25%), while adults are more likely than youth to say they would go to government officials (20% versus 10%), the Human Rights Commission (15% versus 7%), or a lawyer or legal aid or the courts (13% versus 6%).
United Nations human rights treaties
Most youth have not heard of three major UN international human rights treaties. However, most think these treaties are at least somewhat effective in protecting human rights around the world and think it is important that Canada ratify and adopt them.
There are seven core international human rights treaties. The survey asked youth about their awareness of three of these treaties – the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted in 1989), the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted in 1966), and the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (adopted in 1966). Youth were also asked about the effectiveness of these treaties and the importance of Canada having ratified or adopted these treaties.
The survey finds that most youth have not heard of any of these three treaties, but most believe they are at least somewhat effective in protecting human rights around the world, and that Canada should ratify and adopt these treaties.
One-third (33%) of youth report awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; smaller proportions report awareness of the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (22%), and the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (21%).
Reported awareness of all these treaties is higher among youth who live in communities with 100,000 to 1 million inhabitants, those who have travelled to Europe and those who follow global issues more closely, particularly youth who follow these issues very closely.
Reported awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is higher among youth born outside of Canada than those born in Canada (43% versus 32%). It is also higher among youth with more education.
Youth from the most affluent households are more likely than others to report awareness of the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Reported awareness of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights is higher among young men, and those with more education and from the most affluent households.
Youth were then informed that these international treaties were established by the UN and adopted by some countries (including Canada) and asked about the effectiveness of these treaties in helping to protect human rights around the world.
Seven in ten youth think these treaties are very (10%) or somewhat (62%) effective in helping to protect human rights around the world. One-quarter think they are not very (20%) or not at all (3%) effective.
Among youth, majorities across all regional and demographic cohorts think these UN treaties are at least somewhat effective in protecting human rights around the world. However, this view is higher among young women, those aged 15-20, anglophones, those born outside Canada, and those in households with incomes of $40,000 and above.
Youth who report awareness of these specific UN treaties are somewhat more likely to think these treaties are very effective in helping to protect human rights around the world. However, interestingly, youth who follow global issues very closely are less likely to think these treaties are at least somewhat effective.
Adults are far more likely than youth to report awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (55% versus 33%).
Youth seem to have a more positive view of the effectiveness of these treaties than do adults. Seven in ten youth think these treaties are effective in helping to protect human rights around the world, compared to six in ten adults. In contrast, 37 percent of adults say these treaties are not effective compared to just 23 percent of youth.
In another question, youth were asked how important it is that Canada has formally ratified and adopted these international treaties on human rights.
Nine in ten believe it is very (61%) or somewhat (30%) important that Canada has formally ratified and adopted these types of international treaties on human rights, while only five percent think it is not very or not at all important.
There is an overwhelming consensus across all regional and demographic cohorts that it is important that Canada has formally ratified and adopted these treaties.
Looking at the proportions who think this is very important, we find that this view is stronger among older youth and those who follow global issues more closely, and weaker among those living in rural areas and those who have not travelled outside of Canada.
Youth who report awareness of these specific UN treaties are somewhat more likely than those who do not to think that it is very important that Canada has ratified and adopted these treaties.
Role of multi-nationals in promoting human rights
Youth are divided as to whether multi-national corporations play a positive or negative role in promoting human rights and democracy in the world today.
When youth are asked to assess the role of multi-national corporations in promoting human rights and democracy in the world, they are divided on the issue. Four in ten (43%) think multi-nationals play a positive role in this area, while a similar proportion (45%) think they play a negative role. These results suggest that multi-national corporations may have had some success in positioning themselves as being examples of corporate social responsibility. Many youth may have a favourable attitude towards companies that produce consumer goods that they use, and this gets extrapolated into a favourable attitude towards the role of these companies in other areas such as promoting democracy and human rights.
Opinion on the role of multi-nationals in promoting human rights and democracy in the world varies across the country. A majority of youth in Alberta think they play a positive role, while youth in Ontario and British Columbia are more divided, and a clear majority of youth in Quebec think multi-nationals play a negative role or no role at all in this area.
The view that multi-national corporations play a positive role in promoting human rights and democracy in the world is higher among young women, those aged 15-17, those born outside of Canada, those who have never travelled outside of Canada, and those who do not follow global issues very much or at all.
The belief that multi-nationals play a negative role in promoting human rights and democracy is higher among young men, those aged 21 to 24, those who have travelled to Europe and Latin America, those in university, those who mention the Internet as a source of information on global issues and those who follow global issues very closely.
Youth are more positive than adults about the role of multi-nationals in promoting human rights and democracy (43% say positive role versus 33% among adults).
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Awareness and effectiveness of NGOs
About one-half of youth are able to identify an NGO active in addressing global issues. Most believe these organizations are effective in making a difference to the problems they focus on.
Youth were informed that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are independent organizations working to address different types of problems. They were then asked to name, without prompting, any NGOs that are active in addressing global issues, such as war and conflict, hunger, HIV/AIDS and human rights.
Youth are most likely to mention the Red Cross (17%), followed by UNICEF (12%). Smaller proportions identify Greenpeace (8%), Amnesty International (7%), Doctors without Borders (6%), Oxfam (5%) and World Vision (4%). Various other NGOs are mentioned, but none by more than two percent of youth. Just over one-half either cannot name an NGO (44%) or offer no opinion (9%). Two percent of youth spontaneously mention War Child in this context.
Youth in Quebec are more likely than those in English Canada to identify several NGOs, such as the Red Cross (25% versus 14%), Oxfam (15% versus 2%) and Doctors without Borders (10% versus 5%). Quebec youth are also more likely to be able to name an NGO (40% cannot name any or offer no opinion versus 57% in English Canada).
Youth with at least some university education are more likely to identify the Red Cross, Amnesty International and Doctors without Borders.
Those who follow global issues very closely are more likely to identify the Red Cross, UNICEF, Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Doctors without Borders. Those who follow global issues very closely are also more likely to be able to name an NGO, but even among this group one-third are unable to name an NGO or offer no opinion.
Adults are somewhat more likely than youth to identify the Red Cross (26% versus 17%) and Doctors without Borders (13% versus 6%). Adults are also somewhat more likely than youth to be able to identify an NGO active in addressing global issues (44% cannot name any or offer no opinion versus 53% among youth).
Youth who were able to name an NGO active in addressing global issues were also asked about the effectiveness of these organizations in making a real difference to the problems they focus on.
Among those who name an NGO active in addressing global issues, nine in ten think that NGOs are very (33%) or somewhat (56%) effective in making a real difference in the problems they focus on, while eight percent think they are not very effective.
Young women are somewhat more likely than young men to think NGOs are very effective in making a real difference to the problems they focus on.
Among the small number of youth (N=32) who think that NGOs are not effective, the most common reasons given are the lack of resources or money to make a difference, lack of results, and organizations being too small or problems being too big or that they do not have enough power.
YOUTH AND WORLD ISSUES
Youth’s impact in making the world better
Three-quarters of youth think young people can make a difference in making the world a better place to live.
When youth are asked how much difference they think young people can make in making the world a better place to live, three-quarters think young people can make a big (49%) or some (26%) difference. Few (9%) think young people can make little or no difference.
Large majorities across all regional and demographic cohorts think young people can make a difference in making the world a better place to live. Looking at the proportions who think young people can make a big difference indicates that this view is stronger among youth aged 18 to 24, those who were born outside of Canada, those who have travelled to Europe, Latin America or another area (not including the U.S.), and those who follow global issues more closely. In other words, the segments of youth who are most engaged in global issues are the ones most likely to believe that they can make a difference.
It is also notable that adults are somewhat more likely than youth themselves to think that young people can make a big difference in making the world a better place (56% versus 49%).
Degree to which youth’s views are taken seriously
Most youth believe that decision-makers do not take young people’s views on world issues seriously.
When youth are asked how seriously they believe young people’s views on issues facing the world are taken by decision-makers, most are cynical.
Four in ten think that when young people take action and express their views on issues facing the world, decision-makers take them very (7%) or somewhat (35%) seriously. In contrast, just under six in ten are of the opinion that young people’s views are taken not very seriously (42%) or not seriously at all (15%).
There are few significant regional or demographic differences in response to this question, but those who think young people can make a difference in making the world a better place are much more likely to think decision-makers take young people’s views on world issues seriously.
Donating time/money to cause or charity
Just over two-thirds of youth report having donated their time or money to a cause or charity within the past year. Helping or making a difference is identified as the main motivation for such efforts.
To measure youth’s degree of social cause involvement, they were asked when was the last time, if ever, they donated their time or money to a cause or charity. Just over two-thirds (68%) of youth report donating their time or money within the past year, including one-third (35%) who report having done this within the past month. Fifteen percent have engaged in this type of activity more than a year ago. Only 13 percent report never having made such efforts.
Reported donation of time or money within the past month is higher among young women, youth from more affluent households, anglophones, and those who have travelled outside of Canada. It is also higher among youth who follow global issues more closely and those who think young people can make a big difference in making the world a better place to live.
Adults are somewhat more likely than youth to report donating their time or money to a cause or a charity within the past month (48% versus 35%).
Youth who have ever donated time or money to a cause or charity were asked their main motivation for doing this. (Respondents were allowed to identify more than one motivation.)
Among those who have ever donated their time or money to a cause or charity, the main motivations identified are varied. The most common reason is to
help or make a difference. Smaller proportions mention that they were motivated by work, school, friends or family, to help with specific disease, medical condition, hospital or research, because it was a good, valid or worthy cause, to help poor, homeless or hungry people (9%), because it was their duty, obligation and the right thing to do, because family members or friends were affected or they were personally affected, they wanted to and had the time or money (7%), to help children, teens or youth, because they were asked to help, donate, saw on television or heard about it (6%), or because it feels good to help, or is fun or enjoyable (5%). Other motivations are identified, but none by more than three percent of youth.
Those who follow global issues very closely are more likely than others to identify the need to help or make a difference.
CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS
Preferred Canada-U.S. relations
Almost three-quarters of youth think it is in the best interests of Canada to have at least somewhat close relations with the United States.
Youth were asked what should be the preferred direction of Canada-U.S. relations. Just under three-quarters think it would be in Canada’s best interests to have very (25%) or somewhat (47%) close relations with the United States. One-quarter think it would be better to have somewhat (22%) or very (5%) distant relations with the United States.
Anglophone youth are twice as likely as francophone youth to think it is in the best interests of Canada to have very close relations with the United States (28% versus 13%).
The view that it is in the best interests of Canada to have very close relations with the United States is higher among men than among women (31% versus 18%). This view is also higher among those who follow global issues very closely.
With whom should Canada work more closely
One-half of youth think Canada should be doing more to develop a separate cultural identity from Americans.
When youth are asked if Canada should be doing more, less or the same as now to develop a separate cultural identity from Americans, one-half (52%) think Canada should be doing more, while four in ten (38%) think it should be doing the same as now and one in ten (8%) prefer it do less in this area.
The view that Canada should be doing more to develop a separate cultural identity from Americans is highest among youth in Quebec (67%) and lowest among British Columbian youth (37%), a majority of whom prefer the status quo.
The view that Canada should be doing more in this area is higher among youth aged 18 to 24, those in less affluent households, and those born outside of Canada.
Not surprisingly, the view that Canada should be doing more to develop a separate cultural identity from Americans is also higher among those who think it is in the best interests of Canada to have distant relations with the United States. Moreover, even half of those who think we should have a close relationship with the U.S. say we should be doing more in this regard. This would seem to indicate that there is body of opinion that says that, while Canada should have close and cordial relations with the U.S., this should not come at the expense of preserving a separate cultural identity.
Should Canada work more closely with U.S. or UN?
By almost a six-to-one margin, youth prefer that Canada work more closely with the UN rather than with the U.S. in working to resolve global problems.
When asked whether Canada should work more closely with the United States or the United Nations in working to resolve global problems, youth prefer that Canada work with the United Nations, rather than the United States by a margin of almost six-toone (81% to 14%).
Large majorities across all regional and demographic cohorts think Canada should work more closely with the United Nations rather than the United States in working to resolve global problems.
Not surprisingly, those who think it is in the best interests of Canada to have distant relations with the United States are more likely to prefer that Canada work more closely with the United Nations in trying to resolve global problems. However, a large majority who think it is better to have close relations with the United States also prefer that Canada work more closely with the United Nations.
CANADA'S ROLE IN THE WORLD
Canada's most positive contribution to the world
Peacekeeping and foreign aid are seen as Canada’s most positive contributions to the world.
Youth were asked to identify the most positive contribution that Canada, as a country, makes to the world (asked unprompted, without offering response choices).
The survey finds that three in ten youth (29%) name peacekeeping as Canada’s most positive contribution to the world. Two in ten mention foreign aid (19%), while five percent say Canada’s most positive contribution is immigration or refugees. Fewer than five percent each mention a number of other contributions and 22 percent offer no opinion.
Views on Canada’s most positive contribution to the world varies across the country. Youth in Ontario and Alberta are more likely to identify peacekeeping as Canada’s most positive contribution, while those in British Columbia are more inclined to mention foreign aid, and those in Quebec are divided between these two contributions.
Youth aged 18 to 24, those living in communities with fewer than one million inhabitants, those born in Canada, and those who have travelled to Europe and Latin America are more likely to mention peacekeeping as Canada’s most positive contribution to the world. This view is also higher among those who follow global issues more closely and those who think that Canada’s military is too small.
Youth aged 15 to 17, those living in communities with more than one million inhabitants, those born outside of Canada, and those who have never travelled outside of Canada or have travelled only to the United States are divided between peacekeeping and foreign aid. Those who do not follow global issues closely or at all, and those who think that Canada’s military is the right size are also divided between these two contributions.
Adults are more likely than youth to identify peacekeeping as Canada’s most positive contribution to the world (37% versus 29%).
Canada’s response to global issues
Youth give Canada highest ratings for peacekeeping, the response to the Asian tsunami and promoting human rights, and lowest ratings on its response to HIV/AIDS in Africa and the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Youth were asked to assess the job Canada has done on a number of global issues. Large majorities say Canada is doing an “excellent” or “good” job in peacekeeping (83%), the response to the Asian tsunami (78%) and promoting human rights (74%). Smaller majorities rate Canada excellent or good on the job it is doing in the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism (55% each), while just under half (47%) say the same about its efforts in debt relief for poor, developing countries. Youth give the lowest ratings to Canada’s efforts in the areas of HIV/AIDS in Africa (37%) and the crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region (30%).
Positive assessments of Canada’s job in all of these areas is lower among youth in Quebec than among those who live in other regions of the country.
Those born outside of Canada and those who follow global issues more closely are more likely to rate Canada positively in most of these areas.
Youth are far more positive than adults about Canada’s efforts in promoting human rights (74% say excellent/good versus 58% among adults). Youth are also more positive about efforts on HIV/AIDS in Africa (37% versus 29%).
Best area for Canada to take a leadership role
Peacekeeping is identified as the area in which Canada can best take a leadership role in the world.
When read a list of areas and asked which area they think Canada can best take a leadership role in the world, youth are most likely to choose peacekeeping (38%). Smaller proportions choose environmental protection (17%), promotion of democracy and human rights (17%), aid to poor, developing countries (13%), and humanitarian relief (11%).
Peacekeeping is named as the top leadership role for Canada across all regional and most demographic cohorts. However, this view is higher among youth aged 15 to 20, anglophones, and among those who do not follow global issues very much or at all. Those born outside Canada are somewhat more likely than those born in Canada to choose promotion of democracy and human rights. Those who follow global issues very closely are somewhat more likely than others to name aid to Poor, developing countries.
Perception of size of Canada’s military
Just over half of youth think Canada’s military is currently too small; very few think it is too big.
The survey finds that just over one-half (53%) of youth think Canada’s military is currently too small, while four in ten (41%) say it is about the right size. Very few (3%) believe the country’s military is too large.
The perception that Canada’s military is too small is higher among anglophone youth (59%) than among francophone youth (44%). It is also higher among young men, those living in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants and those born in Canada.
The view that Canada’s military is too small is also higher among youth who follow global issues very closely, those who think peacekeeping is Canada’s most positive contribution, and those who name peacekeeping as Canada’s best leadership role in the world. Obviously, many Canadians favour having a larger military because they identify Canada’s role in the world so heavily with peacekeeping.
Adults are far more likely than youth to think Canada’s military is too small (70% versus 53%). In contrast, youth are far more likely than adults to be satisfied with the current size of Canada’s military (41% versus 24%).
Preferred federal spending on aid to poorer countries
One-half of youth think the federal government should spend more on aid to poorer countries.
Youth were informed that currently, approximately one-third of a penny of every dollar spent by the federal government goes to our aid program to help poorer countries. They were also told that, as a comparison, 30 cents of every federal dollar spent goes to social services and health programs here in Canada.
Half of youth (52%) think the federal government should be spending a lot (23%) or a little (29%) more money to help poorer countries. Four in ten (39%) think federal spending in this area should stay the same. Very few (7%) believe the federal government should be spending a little or a lot less on aid to poorer countries.
The view that the federal government should be spending more to help poorer countries is higher among young women and youth aged 15 to 20. It is also higher among those who are very concerned about hunger and famine in the developing world, and those who name aid to poor, developing countries as Canada’s best leadership role in the world.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Prospects for solving global issues
Majorities of youth are optimistic that major progress will be made in solving most of the global issues surveyed, especially reducing human rights abuse.
To assess youth’s vision of the future, they were asked if they are optimistic or pessimistic that there will be major progress made in their lifetime in solving a number of global issues.
Youth are most optimistic about major progress being made in their lifetime in solving human rights abuse (73%). Majorities also say the same about the spread of HIV/AIDS (64%), hunger and famine in the developing world (58%), environmental pollution (56%) and terrorism (54%).
Youth are divided on the issue of war and conflict: 49 percent are optimistic and a similar proportion of 48 percent are pessimistic that major progress will be made in their lifetime in solving this global issue.
Youth living in Quebec are less optimistic than those living in English Canada that major progress will be made in solving the spread of HIV/AIDS (56% versus 66%), hunger and famine in the developing world (45% versus 62%), and terrorism (43% versus 58%).
Young men are somewhat more optimistic than young women about the prospects for making major progress in solving war and conflict (53% versus 46%), while young women are somewhat more likely than young men to be optimistic about solving hunger and famine in the developing world (61% versus 55%).
Youth aged 18 to 24 are somewhat more optimistic than those aged 15 to 17 about the prospects for making major progress in solving human rights abuse.
Youth who are more optimistic about their ability to make the world a better place to live (can make a big or some difference) are also more optimistic that major progress will be made in their lifetime in solving all of these global issues.
Youth who follow global issues very closely are more optimistic about the future prospects of solving environmental pollution, but are less optimistic about solving hunger and famine in the developing world, terrorism, and war and conflict.
Youth are more likely than adults to be optimistic about the prospects of solving human rights abuse (73% versus 61%), hunger and famine in the developing world (58% versus 47%), and war and conflict (49% versus 40%).
CONCLUSION
The War Child Youth Canada Opinion Poll identifies some telling contradictions – youth are clearly not accessing important information on international issues and their knowledge of some of the complexities of our global reality remains inadequate; yet at the same time, they remain optimistic about their ability to make a difference and the prospect of making progress on pressing issues of global concern. More importantly, the majority of youth feel that their views and opinions are not taken seriously by adult decision-makers. This, perhaps, is the most challenging aspect of all.
The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll clearly calls upon policy makers, decision-makers, school boards, educators and non-governmental organizations to reflect on the following questions:
- What is being done to educate youth about current global issues?
- How can we improve youth access to meaningful information about global issues and create opportunities for reflection?
- How can young people become more involved in the work of governmental and non-governmental actors working to promote human rights and social justice?
- Can we increase the level of engagement around these issues among youth across Canada?
- Are we sufficiently including youth in discussions and decisions about our national priorities and values as they relate to global realities?
- How can we, as Canadians and as a global community, develop substantive structures and programs to foster such dialogues?
This survey speaks volumes about current levels of knowledge and engagement around pressing global realities. War Child Canada encourages all stakeholders who consider youth education and engagement a priority to use the results of this groundbreaking initiative, to further discussion on the questions outlined above, and to use this information in articulating future youth engagement strategies.
The experiences and insights of Canadian youth are crucial to shaping the values and policies that will guide Canada in the new millennium. By contributing to both the awareness and empowerment of today’s youth, adult leaders have an important role to play in shaping the Canadian identity, which includes compassion for the vulnerable and support for institutions that protect, and promote, the rights of all the world’s citizens – something the next generation surely deserves.
And while the results point to the need for adults to consider how youth can be part of the equation of complex decision-making, they also challenge youth to become even more informed about what is happening in the world, moving beyond opinions into meaningful action.
It is important to note that 77 percent of adults think that youth can make a positive difference in the world.
War Child Canada shares this belief and optimism in youth’s capacity to effect positive change. We are privileged to witness first-hand the inspiring difference Canadian youth can make through their involvement in our innovative programming initiatives.
Our hope is that others will be as motivated by the results of this survey as we have been. On our part, we plan to share the results of this survey as widely as possible with the youth, educators and partners with whom we work. We encourage the readers of this report to do the same in order to ensure that the youth represented in this survey are heard and, most importantly, will begin to have a stronger influence over Canada’s decisions on global issues.
Please let us know how The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll has helped you make a positive impact in your work by contacting us at youthsurvey@warchild.ca.
CONTRIBUTORS
We would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the development of The War Child Canada Youth Opinion Poll.
Martin Anevitch
David Ast
Scott Beveridge
Irene Buckiewicz and the Grade 12 Politics Class at Inglenook Community School
Adele Cassola
Nils Engelstad
Anne Game
Jill Goodreau
Dr. Eric Hoskins
Ambika Jain
Derek Leebosh
Victoria Long
Yasmin Neale
Keith Neuman
Gavin Nowlan
Dr. Samantha Nutt
Heather Orrange
Emma Rooney
Marian Shehata
Naomi Smith
Maria Vamvalis
War Child Canada would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous financial support of this important initiative:
Canadian Heritage
Canadian International Development Agency
Department of National Defence
and Canadian Forces
Foreign Affairs Canada
The Simons Foundation of Canada
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
We would also like to extend ours thanks to the public opinion polling firm Environics Research Group for their commitment to this initiative and their skilled implementation of the opinion poll research.
Methodology is included in the PDF download of the survey.
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