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We Are Kenya’s Future: Young People and Our Nation’s Growth

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In response to the need for action on adolescent and youth issues in Kenya, PRB partnered with Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA) to develop a new multimedia product on young people and the demographic dividend. With generous support from USAID Kenya and East Africa through the Policy, Advocacy, and Communication Enhanced for Population and Reproductive Health (PACE) Project, and in collaboration with a Youth Advisory Group convened by CSA, PRB has created a short video that empowers young people to understand their importance to Kenya’s economic growth.  

This video is intended to engage decisionmakers on the importance of investments in youth to achieve a demographic dividend in Kenya. Accompanied by ongoing workshops for youth advocates in Kenya on how to communicate with policymakers on this topic, this video is part of a PACE-led strategy to empower youth advocates to engage with policymakers on the demographic dividend. Kenyan youth advocates at national and county levels are leading the way in ensuring stronger policy commitments to youth and more meaningful participation from youth in decisionmaking processes. A discussion guide was developed as a tool for advocates. 

PRB Gains Insights From Kenyan Youth

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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.