The Youth for Development explores the potential of youth as positive change agents to work with organizations and communities to engage together in order to work towards the establishment of justice, equality and righteousness in society, and the eradication of injustice, falsehood and evil.
We will accomplish our mission when:
1.Youth Development Organizations (YDOs) would be stronger, more willing, and able to pursue and share innovative solutions to age-old problems.
2.People of all backgrounds (ethnic, gender, class, educational, and geographic etc.) would gain recognition and sufficient support to contribute to community and youth development.
3.The field of community and youth development would be more diverse and responsive to the courage, competence, and dedication of underrepresented youth at all levels.
4.Young people would be believed as valued resources and partners in every community, and they respond to their respected status by devoting their tremendous energy and focus to the pursuit of social and economic justice.
5.Youth would be seen as agents of positive change and improvement in society as a whole, through:
a)Proposing constructive solutions instead of being perceived as "a problem"
b)Responsible civic engagement
c)Building networks with people of goodwill from all communities
d)Advocating and promoting social and economic justice, ethical business, creative philanthropy, protection of the environment, etc.
e)Achieving excellence in professions which influence public opinion and public policy (e.g. the media) and create future opinion formers and thought leaders (e.g. education at all levels)
f)Becoming role models in caring professions (e.g. health care)
g)Driving and articulating key research on social issues
h)Advancement of holistic education to nurture full range of human potential amongst young people - intellectual, aesthetic, physical, moral and spiritual
i)Reconnecting with nature and the countryside
j)Emerging youth cultures,
k)Ground breaking service based projects and educational initiatives
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We offer workshops, training sessions, and learning exchanges. Specific areas of expertise include:
a)Youth development
b)Youth-adult partnership
c)Civic engagement
d)Service-learning
e)Organizational development
f)Leadership development
g)Youth governance
h)Program evaluation
i)Strategic planning
Our partnerships with foundations, organizations, youth, and adults spark creative processes, build on existing assets and resources, and generate practical tools and resources that include:
a)Tool kits, technical assistance, and research;
b)Peer learning groups and peer exchanges for community organization leaders;
c)Connections across the fields of academia, policy, social services, and philanthropy;
d)Guidance for funding research, development, and program evaluation;
e)Training services that expand skills, strengthen management, and connect organizations and foundations to new and existing resources; and
f)Capacity-building techniques that help organizations become more effective.
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