Observatory of Youth and Society

History

In the fall of 1994, a first network of researchers was formed, composed of professors from regional constituencies   of the Université du Québec with the financial support of the latter. An outstandingly social and pertinent question was gathering them together: the exodus of young people from outspread regions to urban centres. Little by little, this research group grew larger and began to integrate participants from other universities, with the vision of creating a greater sensitiveness toward different questions concerning young people all over Quebec. This issue of exodus ultimately became rather an issue of migration as a result of a "critical", even quantitative, scientific reflection. This issue quickly encompassed the question of migrant activity and its demographic dimensions in order to extend to the notion of space, thus implying other aspects of this spatial link such as regional insertion. This issue quickly encompassed the question of migrant activity and its demographic dimensions in order to extend to the notion of space, thus implying other aspects of this spatial link such as regional insertion.

The expansion of the research network gave birth to other agreements that called for new projects coming from different angles, such as the need to group and organize available information about young people. From this came the idea of an observatory of youth whose objectives would include a particular attention to the "place" that young people hold in society. It is the administrative body of the INRS that officially created the Observatoire Jeunes et Société (Observatory of Youth and Society) in 1998. Researchers that make up the scientific committee of the Observatory found it important to link a scientific programs to the awareness efforts that would integrate research projects covering creative themes with the theoretical perspective in development. The perspective would be intended to become one with the network.

Ultimately, Quebec policy regarding young people has come to recognize officially the Observatory of Youth and Society as a partner in La jeunesse au cœur du Québec, Politique québécoise de la jeunesse,(Government of Quebec, May, 2001: 59). The document states: “The Youth Secretariat, by associating itself with different partners, in particular the Observatory of Youth and Society of the INRS-UCS and the Institut de la statistique du Québec…”

Objectives

• Participate in the development of a research field of young people of transitional ages (15-30) through a research program;
• Collect and analyze information on young people taking into account their diversity, by establishing comparisons at local, national and international levels, by placing the analysis in a historical and geographic perspective, and by taking into account the social, economic and cultural contexts;
• Distribute to the public, notably young Quebecers, educational environments, community and government organizations, knowledge created by members, as well as information collected within the context of a documentation awareness project.Distribute to the public, notably young Quebecers, educational environments, community and government organizations, knowledge created by members, as well as information collected within the context of a documentation awareness project.

Research Program

Principal Themes

Social and Professional Integration

Spatial relation

Culture

Activities

• Conducting scientific activity: collaboration between researchers from Quebec and elsewhere on research projects, research partnerships created from numerous related domains through a more in-depth knowledge of youth;
• Integration of Master and Doctorate students into research activities: assistantship, post-doctorate training and internships;
• Education: teaching diverse undergraduate and graduate programs according to the educational institution of those who take part in the distribution of knowledge and education for research;
• Knowledge distribution: publishing of books, chapters and articles in various publications with reading committees, organisation of seminars and international meetings;
• Knowledge transfer: monthly letter, bi-annual bulletin, Web site, conferences, providing consulting to the media;
• Scientific intelligence: research results, statistics, policy information, Web distribution.Scientific intelligence: research results, statistics, policy information, Web distribution.