Vox Populi: 10 years of making students’ voices resonate
Vox Populi: 10 years of making students’ voices resonate
To mark the start of the school year, élections Québec is celebrating 10 years of the Vox Populi: Your Democracy at School educational program, which supports the establishment and activities of a student council elected by their peers. This program is part of the institution’s efforts to stimulate interest in democracy among future generations of voters.
By introducing young people to democratic values and allowing them to contribute to the vitality of their school environment, élections Québec hopes to foster civic engagement and electoral participation in the long term.
Vox Populi Program
The Vox Populi: Your Democracy at School program supports schools that set up a student council. It allows students to make their voices heard and participate in decisions affecting the life of their school. It also allows them to experience an electoral process and put democratic values into practice. The program equips young elected officials to embody democratic values such as freedom of expression, respect, mutual assistance, fairness and commitment in their school environment. Vox populi was created in 2015 as a joint initiative by élections Québec, the National Assembly and the Jean-Charles-Bonenfant Foundation. It is now under the responsibility of élections Québec.
Increasing membership rates
The program membership period is in full swing for the upcoming year. It is offered free of charge to elementary and secondary schools. Since the program was launched 10 years ago, more than 33,000 young people from some 765 schools have participated. During the 2023–2024 school year, the Vox populi program supported student councils in nearly 300 elementary and secondary schools in Quebec, a record since its creation. School teams in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (33.3%) and Gaspésie–?les-de-la-Madeleine (24.1%) regions participated more than others in this educational program (a complete table is available in the appendix).
Supplement to the new Culture and Citizenship of Quebec program
As the new Culture and Citizenship of Quebec program is being introduced in all Quebec schools, élections Québec would like to highlight the positive impact that an active and democratic student council can have in a school. Indeed, the council makes it possible to transform theoretical learning into concrete experience. For young people to feel involved in democracy, we must create moments to discuss, to learn, to express themselves and to decide together. The Vox populi program offers support that makes it possible to maximize this experience.
Supporting schools in their legal responsibilities
Vox populi also allows member schools to obtain support to fulfill their legal obligations regarding student participation in school democracy. Indeed, the Education Act stipulates that school boards must consult students or a group of students at least once a year. In addition, in September, schools that offer the second cycle of secondary education must form a student committee that appoints two students to sit on the school board. These two students have the same right to vote as the other members.
Education for democracy, more important than ever
In this era when some democracies are threatened or called into question, when discourse is polarizing and when voter turnout is decreasing, adherence to democratic values is more fragile and less spontaneous than we would like. Thus, education for democracy, which is at the heart of élections Québec’s mission, is more relevant and necessary than ever. It must start early and be part of each young person’s educational journey.
Moreover, studies show that the frequency of family discussions about democracy is higher when children participate in a citizenship education activity. In some cases, children even encourage their parents to vote! Children are therefore actors in political socialization. When they are exposed to new knowledge and experiences, they can communicate them and bring about changes in the attitudes and behaviors of those around them.
Quotes
“To fully understand the workings of democracy, there is nothing better than living it, experiencing it. School is a privileged place for this. Through their student council, young people have the opportunity to influence certain decisions. They thus play an active role in their living environment. The Vox populi program is precisely designed to maximize the democratic experience of these student councils, with a view to training citizens who will play an active role in the society of tomorrow – their society.”
– Jean-Fran?ois Blanchet, Director General of Elections
“Vox populi is a bank of resources, assistance and training. The program has really enhanced our student council by bringing it closer to political reality. We did not participate in other years, and we missed out on something. So I encourage you to participate. It’s very simple.” élections Québec is here to help you, it’s free and they’re always there for you.”
– Anthony Pelletier, social studies teacher and head of the student council at Rochebelle high school in Québec City
About élections Québec
élections Québec is an impartial and independent institution whose mission is to ensure the integrity, transparency and reliability of elections and to contribute to the vitality of Québec democracy. It produces a variety of educational programs and content on elections, the right to vote and participation in democratic life.