Looking Towards the Future: Enabling the New Generation

As the world celebrates World Youth Skills Day, it becomes increasingly clear that developing youth leadership skills is essential for shaping a prosperous future. While it may be tempting to assume that young individuals will naturally be empowered through their involvement in peer-based programs, this notion proves to be a misconception. Just like during any critical phase of development, the empowerment process requires time, training, investment, and consistent support from adults.

By affording young individuals the opportunity to navigate and excel within various contexts, we promote their individual growth and nurture their ability to contribute meaningfully to society. Here at INJAZ UAE, we have been committed to this vision since 2006. Over the years, we have built a unique model of partnership with the private sector to offer learning opportunities for youth in 3 main pillars - Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship. In this article, we will delve into the significance of youth leadership development and how it paves the way for a bright future. We will also explore the impact of the INJAZ mentoring programmes.?

Understanding Youth Empowerment

At the heart of youth empowerment lies a fundamental belief: young people possess remarkable capabilities. Developmental psychology supports this notion, highlighting the importance of positive youth development. Research in this field emphasizes that when young individuals are exposed to nurturing environments and provided with appropriate guidance, they are more likely to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Such guidance is not limited to technical training. It focuses on the overall development of the individuals, with the specific aim to foster autonomy and critical thinking. A holistic orientation makes them agile and market-ready– two necessary transferable traits highlighted by the UN as well. These skills not only enhance their employability but also foster their entrepreneurial spirit, enabling them to innovate, create new ventures, and drive economic growth.

Transforming the future

One of the latest theories in youth development incorporates 5 domains of development. Viz-a-viz, cognitive, motivational, affective, behavioral, and ethical. Such a holistic theory can inform the programmes that can foster leadership abilities in the youth. For example, our programmes at INJAZ UAE, are curated to cater to all such domains. Through our volunteer mentoring programme, we provide the youth with enough opportunities to nurture their knowledge and skills. As a result, today we have successfully trained more than 30K students in the UAE. Over the years, we have learnt there are a few important things to keep in mind while running programmes for the youth. We need to give the freedom to students to explore their interests and potential, by providing ample opportunities. This should be coupled with the autonomy to select the areas they deem fit. Feedback should be provided regularly and honestly. Lastly, divergent thinking should be encouraged and built, as this prepares the students for the dynamic workspace of the present day.

Building the right skills?

In today's globalized world, surveys support the growing importance of soft skills for the successful employment of young people. According to a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), by the year 2025, over 50% of all employees will need reskilling or upskilling due to the rapidly evolving nature of work. The report emphasizes that the most in-demand skills will be those related to problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and communication, highlighting the indispensability of soft skills in the future workforce.

According to the 2023 report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), countries with higher rates of entrepreneurial activity experience greater economic growth and job creation. By nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and providing young people with the skills to transform their ideas into viable businesses, we can foster innovation and contribute to overall economic development.

By investing in their development, we empower the new generation to thrive, contribute to the economy, and create positive change in their communities. Through targeted training, mentorship, and access to innovative resources, we can ensure that young people are equipped with the skills necessary for a prosperous future.?

In this article, I talked about the significance of youth leadership development and empowerment for a prosperous future. Research highlights the importance of nurturing environments and appropriate guidance in enabling young individuals to thrive. INJAZ UAE's mentoring programs focus on holistic development, cultivating autonomy, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. By investing in targeted training and mentorship, we can empower young people to contribute to the economy and create positive change in their communities. Celebrate this World Youth Skills Day, by enrolling yourself, or students in your vicinity with the INJAZ programmes.?

Sources

1. https://www.voicesofyouth.org/blog/empowering-todays-youth
2. https://injazuae.org/
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229797177_Positive_Youth_Development_Theory_Research_and_Applications
4. https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-youth-skills-day
5. https://www.weforum.org/impact/reskilling-revolution/
6. https://www.gemconsortium.org/file/open?fileId=51147
7. https://www.unicef.org/serbia/en/skills-building