Often we talk a lot about youth but not so much with them. To realize a demographic dividend, we need to invest in youth but we also need to fully engage youth in meaningful ways. While I was in Kenya, I gathered input from the youth advisory group members about what they thought were critical investments for a demographic dividend in Kenya. As we spoke, they shared some great insights on meaningful youth engagement…and solidified how important it is that PRB continue to gather advice from youth as we develop and implement our activities.
My work trips to Kenya always energize me. Interacting with Kenyan partners reminds me why our work at PRB matters so much. My recent trip to Kenya was particularly invigorating because I got to meet with seven members of a youth advisory group formed by PRB and our Kenyan partner, Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA). The youth advisory group is helping to guide us in the development of a new communication tool and strategy on youth and the demographic dividend in Kenya. This group of young professionals taught me a lot in the short time we had together.
*Disclaimer: PRB is not a member of the YouthPower project, just an admirer of their work and this definition.
