Youth Development: An Outcome of Skill, Economic Empowerment, and Social Development

Definition

I'm currently writing a long essay on the National Youth Service Corps and Youth Development, and I'm finding the “Youth Development” concept particularly fascinating. As I considered it further, various ideas began to emerge, helping me better understand what it truly takes to experience “positive” youth development.

The concept of "Youth Development" begins with two fundamental components: "Youth" and "Development." Youth is the subject, and development is the process aimed at that subject. To understand youth development fully, we can begin with the definition of "Youth" provided by the United Nations, which refers to persons between the ages of 15 and 24. Similarly, the African Youth Charter defines youth as individuals between the ages of 15 and 35.

At this stage, a youth is typically seen as someone who has transitioned from dependency to a level of independence. The individual is expected to make sound decisions, provide for themselves, and contribute meaningfully to society. According to the United Nations, youth is best understood as a period of transition from the dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood.

Development, on the other hand, can be broadly defined as growth, progress, or advancement. It can be measured in various ways, such as social, physical, emotional, or intellectual development. IGI Global defines development as an increase in capacity, growth in moral, psychological, and intellectual qualities, and an overall advancement in potential.

So, what is youth development? Youth development refers to the growth, progress, and advancement of individuals between the ages of 18 and 35, particularly concerning their social and economic well-being. According to the Youth Development & Leadership National Alliance for Secondary Education and Transition, youth development is a process that prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood, achieving their full potential through social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.

To better understand youth development, it’s essential to break it down into its various parts. Viewing it holistically allows us to identify the individual components that contribute to positive outcomes and, therefore, enables those working in the field to deploy youth development strategies more effectively.

Component of Youth Development

Youth development consists of several critical components, which determine whether an individual experiences "positive" or "negative" development. These components include:

• Youth Education and Skill Development
• Economic Development
• Social Development

Although there are other contributing components, these three are considered foundational to youth development. Each part can be further dissected to reveal more insights. If we dissect them, we can better understand how to deploy youth development frameworks effectively and efficiently.

An effective youth development program or framework should focus on these key areas, ensuring that efforts are invested in quality education, economic empowerment, and social engagement.

Youth Education and Skill Development

Among the components of youth development, education and skill development stand out as perhaps the most critical. Without proper education and the right skills, positive youth development becomes unattainable. However, the curriculum and the environment in which education is delivered play crucial roles in determining whether it results in positive or negative outcomes, especially in developing countries.

For instance, a report prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2012 on the role of Schooling in Skill Development' highlights the issue in countries like India and Ethiopia. While access to education has significantly improved, there is growing concern over the quality of learning and how well it equips young people with productive skills that are relevant to both formal and informal labour markets. The report concludes that equitable access to quality education is essential for youth to maximize their potential, especially given the increasing competition in the global job market.

This underscores the importance of not just advocating for access to education but ensuring that this access translates into valuable, marketable skills. Our education systems must prioritize talent nurturing and skill development if we want to see long-term results in terms of productive, capable youth.

A nation’s youth development can be measured by the productivity of its youth population. The more educated and skilled they are, the greater their contribution to national growth and development.

Youth Economic Development

Youth economic development, often referred to as economic empowerment, is another key component of overall youth development. Without economic empowerment, young people cannot fully contribute to their society or economy. Stakeholders must therefore focus on providing youths with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods.

Economic development is closely tied to education and skill development, as the skills acquired through education provide the foundation for economic engagement. This raises important questions that stakeholders need to address when developing youth economic empowerment programs:

• What resources are unique to our region, and how can we help youth engage with them for mutual prosperity?
• What skills are essential for the future workforce and national advancement?
• How can marginalized individuals receive the support they need to become economically independent?
• How do we ensure that youth empowerment programs are effective and lead to sustainable development?

The ultimate goal of youth empowerment should be to create self-reliant individuals who contribute back to their communities, not just beneficiaries of ongoing aid. Every economic empowerment program should focus on preparing youths to give back to society.

Social Development

Social development is the aspect of youth development that focuses on youths' ability to meaningfully engage with social causes and contribute to civic life. A youth population actively engaged in social issues plays a critical role in driving national progress. Many developed nations attribute their growth to the contributions of their youth populations and the fresh insights they bring.

In recent years, youth migration from developing to developed countries has been on the rise. According to data from the UN DESA, the number of young migrants aged 15-24 increased from 22.1 million in 1990 to 31.7 million in 2020, with a significant proportion moving to high-income countries. These nations recognize the potential of a youth-driven economy and continue to tap into the energy and innovation of young people.

To promote social development, programs should focus on leadership training, innovation in addressing social challenges, and opportunities for youth to participate in public affairs. This includes creating a democratic environment that encourages youthful contributions to governance and civil service.

Youth Development as an Outcome

Considering the key divisions of youth development—education, economic empowerment, and social development—it becomes clear that youth development is not just a process but an outcome. Whether the result is positive or negative depends on the strategies and frameworks implemented to support it.

Positive youth development leads to a productive, empowered youth population that maximizes its potential across various sectors of the economy. Negative youth development, on the other hand, results in a generation unable to fully contribute to national growth.

Therefore, stakeholders must develop tailored objectives that align with their specific environments to achieve the desired outcome of positive youth development.

Recommendations and Conclusion

Those working in youth development must understand the multi-dimensional nature of the field. Youth development should not be viewed as a singular process but as the outcome of strategic efforts. In creating effective youth development policies and programs, we must first identify the specific gaps that need addressing, whether in education, economic empowerment, or social development.

When we take a holistic approach and focus on the areas that need the most attention in their unique contexts, stakeholders can create impactful programs that drive positive youth development.