Young people between the ages of 10 and 24 are about 1.9 billion; they are the largest generation of youth in history. About 90% of them live in developing nations where they make up a large proportion of the population. Their numbers are expected to grow—between 2015 and 2030 alone, about 1.9 billion young people are projected to turn 15 years old.
We can no longer afford to neglect and relegate this present generation of youths because they have so much to contribute to the society. Center for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI) is currently working with several Youth Groups training and empowering them with the necessary skills and tools to reach their full potentials.
We are helping them Connect to each other like never before; these young people want to and are already contributing to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change.
They are also agents of change, mobilizing to advance the Sustainable Development Goals to improve the lives of people and the health of the planet. With the necessary tools they can be a driving force for supporting development and contributing to peace and security of the communities.
Center for Innovative and Pragmatic Development Initiative (CIPDI) is developing Youth-led organizations encouraging and empowering them to participate in translating the 2030 Agenda into local, national and regional policy. They are playing a significant role in the implementation, monitoring and review of the Agenda as well as in holding governments accountable. With political commitment and adequate resources, these young people have the potential to make the most effective transformation of the world into a better place for all.
Young people’s full participation in development efforts can contribute to more sustainable investments to end cycles of poverty; to build resilient, democratic societies; to improve health and nutrition outcomes; and to strengthen economies. Working in partnership with the private sector, national governments, youth, and civil society. Our continued partnership and collaboration with Community Youth Organizations and various youth programs continue to build the capacity of the next generation of leaders. Young people are critical to global stability, economic growth, and development today – and in the future.
ROLE OF THE YOUTHS:
- Critical thinkers: Part of being young involves making sense of personal experiences and asking questions about the world around you. Youth have the capacity to identify and challenge existing power structures and barriers to change, and to expose contradictions and biases
- Change-makers: Young people also have the power to act and mobilize others. Youth activism is on the rise the world over, bolstered by broader connectivity and access to social media.
- Innovators: In addition to bringing fresh perspectives, young people often have direct knowledge of and insights into issues that are not accessible to adults. Youth best understand the problems they face and can offer new ideas and alternative solutions.
- Communicators: Outside the international development sector, few people are aware that world leaders have come to a historic, far-reaching agreement to improve the lives of people and the planet by 2030. Young people can be partners in communicating the development agenda to their peers and communities at the local level, as well as across countries and regions.
- Leaders: When young people are empowered with the knowledge of their rights and equipped with leadership skills, they can drive change in their communities and countries. Youth-led organizations and networks, in particular, should be supported and strengthened, because they contribute to the development of civic leadership skills among young people, especially marginalized youths.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND OBJECTIVES
Our vision is for educated, healthy, employed, and engaged young people who are empowered to advance their own livelihoods and the development of their countries. Our efforts focus on interventions that advance development priorities and youth priorities in strategic countries across the globe.
- Strengthen youth programming, participation and partner ship in support of Agency development objectives.
- Mainstream and integrate youth issues and engage young people across Agency initiatives and operations.
OUR KEY PRIORITIES IN ADVANCING YOUTH PARTICIPATION
- Participation/Partnerships: Strengthening Youth Leadership, Organizations and Networks.
- Programming: Promoting Positive Youth Development approach in ARISE INTERNATIONAL programs.
- Policy: Advancing the investment in the strategic imperative of youth in development with other donors and govts, as well as advancing the evidence base on what works in youth programming in areas including youth, peace and security, youth employment and livelihoods, and health among others
