Youth development

Youth development programs often rely on volunteers to deliver programming to young people. Our study explored the skills and competencies volunteers self-identified as important for their roles. We analyzed qualitative responses to 2 open-ended questions asking University of California 4-H volunteers to identify priority skills to aid in their volunteer development. Using inductive thematic analysis, we developed a coding scheme to analyze 1,144 responses. Participants reported the need for professional development in content-specific areas, program management basics, and child development. Volunteers also reported desiring training in educational practices, organizational skills, specific volunteer roles, and communication skills. The modalities through which volunteers were willing to develop these skills were peer-to-peer learning; online, in-person, classes and conferences; and continuous education. Given the importance of adult volunteers to youth development programs, it is e...

This research examines the impact of Nigeria's Decade of Gas initiative and the Petroleum
Industry Act (PIA) on the country's natural gas industry and its progress toward achieving
the Sustainable Development Goals. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we examine how
these policies affect energy accessibility, economic development, and social welfare. Our
quantitative analysis, based on a survey of 500 participants, reveals a notable positive
correlation between access to natural gas and household economic outcomes, with 62–75%
of participants reporting improvements in their income, business efficiency, and access to
cooking gas. Insights from qualitative interviews and focus groups further illustrate that the
use of gas has empowered women and increased the productivity of small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) by lowering operational expenses. However, our findings also emphasise
substantial implementation challenges, particularly the ongoing infrastructure deficiencies
and regional inequalities that disproportionately impact rural and neglected communities.
The study concludes that while policies regarding natural gas hold the potential to foster
sustainable development and support Nigeria’s poverty alleviation efforts, their full impact
can only be achieved through fair and inclusive implementation that addresses
infrastructural hurdles and guarantees widespread access across all regions.

At sixty-five years of independence, Nigeria stands as a nation of resilience, complexity, and untapped potential. This paper critically reflects on Nigeria’s historical trajectory, analyzing the lessons learned from its struggles with unity, democracy, economic dependence, corruption, and youth engagement. It examines key turning points such as the civil war, successive military interventions, the transition to civilian rule in 1999, and recurring challenges in governance and accountability. Special emphasis is placed on the centrality of agriculture as a viable pathway out of overreliance on oil, highlighting its potential to drive food security, job creation, industrial diversification, and rural development. The analysis argues that while Nigeria’s resilience is commendable, it must be transformed into systemic reform through strong institutions, youth empowerment, and sustainable investment in agriculture. Ultimately, Nigeria at sixty-five reflects both a cautionary tale of missed opportunities and a roadmap for a more inclusive, democratic, and prosperous future.

This method was more than just creating a visual resume;
it was about empowering migrant and marginalised youth to speak directly to potential employers, fostering confidence, and overcoming discrimination based on country of origin and cultural barriers.
For many of these young people, making eye contact on camera might have seemed intimidating, even culturally difficult. Nevertheless, through this process, they learned how to express themselves, honing both their verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
A well-known saying reminds us that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In today’s interconnected world, where communication is fundamentally visually driven, the ability to visually convey one’s skills, strengths, and potential is essential. This is especially true for
marginalised groups, such as migrant youth, those with disabilities, or those from socially excluded backgrounds.
For these vulnerable populations, visual communication is a bridge to greater social inclusion and a means of empowerment, opening up opportunities that might otherwise remain out of
reach.
The act of recording a video CV was more than mere practice; it was an exercise in selfbranding, self-confidence, and empowerment.
I believe that the training modules produced as part of the project S.I.D.E. (Sharing Intercultural Diversity in Employment) continue this vision, focusing on the means and methods that can make employment accessible to young people from vulnerable backgrounds.

This method was more than just creating a visual resume;
it was about empowering migrant and marginalised youth to speak directly to potential employers, fostering confidence, and overcoming discrimination based on country of origin and cultural barriers.
For many of these young people, making eye contact on camera might have seemed intimidating, even culturally difficult. Nevertheless, through this process, they learned how to express themselves, honing both their verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
A well-known saying reminds us that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In today’s interconnected world, where communication is fundamentally visually driven, the ability to visually convey one’s skills, strengths, and potential is essential. This is especially true for
marginalised groups, such as migrant youth, those with disabilities, or those from socially excluded backgrounds.
For these vulnerable populations, visual communication is a bridge to greater social inclusion and a means of empowerment, opening up opportunities that might otherwise remain out of
reach.
The act of recording a video CV was more than mere practice; it was an exercise in selfbranding, self-confidence, and empowerment.
I believe that the training modules produced as part of the project S.I.D.E. (Sharing Intercultural Diversity in Employment) continue this vision, focusing on the means and methods that can make employment accessible to young people from vulnerable backgrounds.

This book is an essential resource for kinesiology and exercise science students aspiring to become future coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, and other health and movement professionals. This book bridges the gap between theory and practice by providing real-world case studies that offer a comprehensive understanding of human movement, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

Each chapter presents a unique case study, focusing on a range of topics from strength training, physical education, and injury recovery to postural analysis and corrective exercises. Students will engage with detailed accounts of actual client and student-athlete scenarios, learning how to assess, design, and adapt interventions based on individual needs. With expert analysis and evidence-based strategies, the case studies illuminate key concepts in biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, pedagogy, and therapeutic techniques.

Through critical thinking and problem-solving exercises, students will sharpen their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, whether they are working with athletes, injured clients, or individuals seeking to improve their overall fitness. This book is designed to help aspiring professionals build confidence, enhance their clinical reasoning skills, and develop the competence needed to succeed in a dynamic, client-centered environment.

Perfect for students in kinesiology, exercise science, and health-related programs, this book prepares the next generation of movement professionals to deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based interventions across a variety of settings.

This module is specific to COMMUNICATION.
It reflects the priorities identified by the partners. Each of these themes is explored in a dedicated chapter and described by the partners with specific competencies in that theme. It represents a general overview of
what the SIDE partners consider during their job-oriented training and how they approach it during the session with the youth.
It is divided into two sessions: A (contents), B (activities).
A. is designed to describe the contents of the theme defined in the main macro area;
B. is designed to describe the different job-oriented activities standardised and tested in our associations and/or cooperatives, and it is functional to prepare youth for the job market. You will find introductions, definitions, and concepts on the different perspectives you need to consider when you work with vulnerable young people and the youth population in general. Then, there are some specific activities, workshops, and tips to work on.

This study examines the decline of young adult participation in Ghanaian churches in Sydney, Australia, and proposes biblically grounded strategies for attraction and retention. Using a mixed-methods design across five congregations, the research identified fifteen key factors behind youth disengagement, including outdated liturgy, weak leadership, and lack of relational care. The findings highlight four central influences: educational, human, peer-friendly, and parental, that shape sustainable ministry. A unified model of twenty-one strategies is presented, emphasizing discipleship, mentorship, inclusive leadership, and youth-sensitive worship. The study concludes that diaspora churches must adopt an all-inclusive, family-centered approach to ensure intergenerational continuity and long-term vitality.

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD), a longitudinal investigation of a diverse sample of 1,700 fifth graders and 1,117 of their parents, tests developmental contextual ideas linking PYD, youth contributions, and participation in community youth development (YD) programs, representing a key ecological asset. Using data from Wave 1 of the study, structural equation modeling procedures provided evidence for five firstorder latent factors representing the “Five Cs” of PYD (competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) and for their convergence on a second-order PYD latent construct. A theoretical construct, youth contribution, was also created and examined. Both PYD and YD program participation independently related to contribution. The importance of longitudinal analyses for extending the present results is discussed.

Using primary data collected from 379 respondents through a mixed-methods survey, this research investigates the causes of child labor and child trafficking in the Gombe Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. The analysis through frequency counts, percentages, correlations and binary logistic regression (Basu & Van 1998; Fan 2011; Zapata et al. 2011) using a survey revealed the respondents were primarily low-income middle-aged females, with 43.27% earning less than N5,000 a month. Findings reported that 74.41% of children worked in family-operated business or farms, 74.67% of the families reported having child laborers, and 56.20% had been personally involved with child trafficking. The main drivers of poverty (38.79%) and unemployment (21.90%) were identified, which affected both male and female children (41.42%). The study highlights the need for further research and targeted policies designed to relieve economic vulnerability and protect children in the area.

This article examines the patterns, extent, and implications of economic inequality in Yobe State, Nigeria, using a mixed
methods approach that combines household surveys (n = 400), key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
Quantitative results revealed a Gini coefficient of 0.46, indicating moderately high inequality, with the top 20 per cent of
households controlling nearly 40 per cent of total income, while the bottom 20 per cent controlled less than 7 per cent.
Regression analysis showed that education, employment in the formal sector, access to infrastructure, urban-rural
location, and gender of household head significantly influenced household income. Qualitative evidence complemented
these findings by illustrating how poor infrastructure, limited access to credit, cultural norms restricting women’s
participation, and unsustainable coping strategies perpetuate inequality. Triangulation revealed that inequality in Yobe is
both structural and intersectional, shaped by socioeconomic disparities and reinforced by institutional and cultural
barriers. The study concludes that reducing inequality in Yobe requires integrated policies that strengthen education,
expand employment opportunities, improve infrastructure, mainstream gender considerations, and introduce effective
social protection systems. The findings contribute to debates on inequality in fragile states and provide policy guidance
for inclusive development in Nigeria.

This study investigates the role of climate finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in fostering sustainable energy development in Nigeria. Drawing on survey responses (n = 228), key informant interviews, chisquare tests, regression analysis, and triangulation, the research explores the socioeconomic drivers, institutional barriers, and regulatory gaps shaping Nigeria's energy transition. Results reveal that climate finance access (β = 0.482), ESG compliance (β = 0.356), and policy/regulatory support (β = 0.291) significantly predict sustainable energy outcomes. Interviews corroborated these findings, highlighting weak enforcement of CBN's sustainable banking principles, limited green bond penetration, and inadequate incentives as major bottlenecks. The study concludes that Nigeria's sustainable energy transition requires coordinated financial innovation, robust ESG integration, and strengthened regulatory frameworks. By bridging empirical gaps and providing policy-relevant recommendations, the study contributes to advancing scholarship on climate finance and sustainable development in emerging economies.

This study investigates the role of climate finance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in fostering sustainable energy development in Nigeria. Drawing on survey responses (n = 228), key informant interviews, chisquare tests, regression analysis, and triangulation, the research explores the socioeconomic drivers, institutional barriers, and regulatory gaps shaping Nigeria's energy transition. Results reveal that climate finance access (β = 0.482), ESG compliance (β = 0.356), and policy/regulatory support (β = 0.291) significantly predict sustainable energy outcomes. Interviews corroborated these findings, highlighting weak enforcement of CBN's sustainable banking principles, limited green bond penetration, and inadequate incentives as major bottlenecks. The study concludes that Nigeria's sustainable energy transition requires coordinated financial innovation, robust ESG integration, and strengthened regulatory frameworks. By bridging empirical gaps and providing policy-relevant recommendations, the study contributes to advancing scholarship on climate finance and sustainable development in emerging economies.

Digital and social media are now widely used to promote engagement in health programs and improve health behaviors across a variety of age groups and domains. However, limited research exists on applying culturally relevant, new media interventions specific to Latino immigrant youth. This paper describes the pilot Adelante Youth Ambassador program for Latino immigrant youth, which used digital media and community-based participatory research to build positive youth development (PYD) assets as a prevention mechanism to reduce co-occurring health risks of substance use, sexual risk, and interpersonal violence. We worked collaboratively with adolescents to create video content as a conduit for Adelante-branded messages to be disseminated on the program’s social media platforms. Using an active audience engagement methodology, youth participants informed the development of prevention messages, scripts for the videos, and acted in videos. Participants disseminated content to their social...

Community engagement in identifying issues of collective concern to address health disparities is an approach that is central to conducting community-based participatory research. It is particularly important for youth to be engaged in dialogue around issues that affect their lives. Participation of this nature is understood, within a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, to be an element of primary prevention vis a vis health risks. Photovoice has been an increasingly used methodology to enable youth to identify and address issues relevant to their daily experiences. We implemented a six-week Photovoice project guided by a PYD approach with Latino immigrant youth (n=12) from Langley Park, MD. This article describes the experiences of facilitators in implementing the program, testing a new curriculum, and also presents results related to changes in PYD assets among participants. We also offer recommendations for future Photovoice programs with similar populations and aims.

This paper discusses the self-perceived impact of participating in the Texas 4-H Council by former council members. The impact was determined by the members' educational attainment, career choice, and community involvement. The study helped create a basic profile of Texas 4-H Council members and identified the educational strategies, career choices, and community involvement that contributed to the success of these 4-H members. This information should provide feedback to the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (TAEX) on the success of its educational programs and in turn allow TAEX officials to provide better and more effective programs.

The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the agricultural communications curriculum (Agriscience 315) in Texas high schools, using perceptions of agriscience teachers in Texas high schools. The secondary purpose was to determine perceived abilities of agriscience teachers to teach agricultural communications courses. As a means of accomplishing the purpose of the study, answers to the following questions were sought. (a) What are the characteristics of Texas teachers who were teaching agriscience in the 1999-2000 school year? (b) What competencies do teachers think students should master upon the completion of agricultural communication classes in Texas high schools? (c) What are the perceived abilities of agriscience teachers to teach agricultural communications classes? The format for this study is a descriptive survey. A proportional and stratified sample of 200 agriscience teachers was selected. A total of 145 surveys were returned. The response rate for this study was 72.5%. This study found that 67% of the teachers had little or no experience in the field of agricultural communications, but they agreed the competencies related to communication techniques and procedures should be incorporated in the agricultural communications curriculum. Agriscience teachers also indicated their perceived level of teaching skill pertaining to communication techniques and procedures ranged from fair to good.

Her research focuses on the relationship between play and learning and development of children and adults. democracy & education, vol 19, no -1 feature article 1 everything, I learned that I had a responsibility to the greater world, too. This camp experience, along with many others provided for me by my activist, middle-class parents, taught me that I shared the world with other people, that I wasn't just a consumer or a victim of society but that I was a builder, a creator, an individual who could make decisions, together with others, for how we wanted the world to be. I grew up to become a schoolteacher, and am now a teachereducator, and most of my research has been on how to make classrooms more creative and developmental for children and teachers . However, I have continued my interest in, and developed a better understanding of, the importance of outside-of-school experiences. I have done so through a close association with the All Stars Project, (www.allstars.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting human development through the use of an innovative performance-based model. All Stars creates outside-of-school educational and performing arts activities for poor and minority young people in cities around the United States. Not unlike my summers at camp, the All Stars developmental Do we learn to be citizens in school? Marching down hallways, Eyes front, mouth closed, Voting for class president, for who can clean the blackboard, But no responsibility for what or how or why to learn, Where is the conflict, the disagreement, the creative energy, Needed to build community and change the world? (Lobman, unpublished) I am a lifelong educator and a political activist who has, along with many others, come to the conclusion that schools as they are currently structured are not a pathway to full democratic participation for many young people, nor are they the means by which significant societal transformation is going to occur. In retrospect, I learned to be a citizen at sleepaway camp. Away from the constraints of school and family, 100 children and 30 young adults, lived, played, and worked together-we had to figure out who was going to clean the toilet and how we were going to deal with the kid who wouldn't take a shower and why Fern the goat ate our bathing suits. There were not as many rules as there were in school, but there was much more responsibility. Watching young adults not much older than me take responsibility for Abstract Public schools historically have been the primary institution responsible for preparing young people for participation in a democratic society. However, the almost exclusive focus by today's schools on knowledge and skills hinders their ability to be environments that support overall development and to produce the kinds of flexible, creative, and critical citizens that are needed to continuously create and recreate democracy. This review of the literature reframes the topic of democracy and education so as to address the relationship between democracy and development specific to youth development. In so doing, it adds practices by and findings from outside-of-school youth development programs to the dialogue on democracy. The review of outside-of-school programs is framed by a conceptualization of development as a dialectical, social, and creative activity, arguing that environments promoting this kind of development are necessary if we are to further democratize our culture.

Laporan ini telah disetujui dan disahkan oleh pihak-pihak terkait, menyatakan bahwa kegiatan ini telah dilaksanakan sesuai dengan rencana yang diajukan dan laporan ini disusun dengan sebenar-benarnya sebagai bentuk pertanggungjawaban. Abstrak Stunting merupakan masalah gizi kronis yang berdampak luas pada kualitas sumber daya manusia (SDM) dan ekonomi bangsa. Di Kabupaten Pandeglang, Provinsi Banten, prevalensi stunting masih menjadi tantangan signifikan, diperparah oleh isu-isu sosio

This paper highlights the impacts of a revised curriculum which incorporated a strong life skills focus into an existing civic education curriculum (for 4-H youth). The revised curriculum resulted in actual youth gains in life skills competencies. The study also explored the effect of volunteer facilitators in the implementation of an added life skills training component. Despite some significant limitations to the internal and external validity of the study, preliminary indications were that adding explicit life skills training content does in fact lead to an increase in life skills competencies. This was clearer in cases where volunteer facilitators fully implemented the additional content versus implementing none or only part of the life skills training. The limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are outlined in the conclusion.

There are many organizations that use shared terms to describe effective programs but don’t agree on the definition of these terms. Terms such as evidence based, research-based, proven practices, and promising practices have multiple definitions amongst practitioners. Exploring the different definitions, of these shared terms, by yourself or with your peers is one way to discover how programs are defined by others. This article and links will lead you through a process to understand the variety of youth development definitions used by practitioners and challenge you to create common definitions that will lead to better discussions with others regarding the effectiveness of programs.

The Adventure Bites - Cooking with Kids program enhanced nutrition curriculum by including a Life Skill development focus and a family night - to improve youth nutrition behaviors. The data was collected using the WSU 4-H Life Skills pre-post youth evaluations, staff surveys, a parent retrospective pre-post survey, and comparison data from non-program sites. The results support adding Life Skills and family night events into youth nutrition curricula. There are opportunities to improve evaluation and do further testing, to determine what the individual impact of Life Skill development and/or individual impact of having family nights had on changes in youth behaviors regarding nutrition.

This article introduces mirrored practice of leveling up as a model for educator learning grounded in connected learning and the connected mentor framework. Our purpose is to introduce this model and share examples of how it can be enacted. We argue that the model is a rich and successful way for youth development professionals to expand their capacities as educators and to support expansive possibilities for young people's learning. The model supports all educators' learning and growth, but it is particularly applicable to mentors working in interest-driven, informal learning environments like makerspaces and YOUmedia learning labs. The model is drawn from our analysis of 2 years of ethnographic observations in an after-school digital design studio housed in an urban public high school in Chicago. We describe mirrored practice as the mentors using the same principles and tools to learn that their students utilized. In the model, leveling up means that both students and mentors are supported in constantly moving towards progressively complex tasks, knowledge, and understanding. Methods of data collection include video-and audio-taped observations and interviews with digital media mentors.

This article introduces mirrored practice of leveling up as a model for educator learning grounded in connected learning and the connected mentor framework. Our purpose is to introduce this model and share examples of how it can be enacted. We argue that the model is a rich and successful way for youth development professionals to expand their capacities as educators and to support expansive possibilities for young people’s learning. The model supports all educators’ learning and growth, but it is particularly applicable to mentors working in interest-driven, informal learning environments like makerspaces and YOUmedia learning labs. The model is drawn from our analysis of 2 years of ethnographic observations in an after-school digital design studio housed in an urban public high school in Chicago. We describe mirrored practice as the mentors using the same principles and tools to learn that their students utilized. In the model, leveling up means that both students and mentors are ...

This study explores the role of secondary school students in Rwanda as active agents of social and educational change. With the increasing recognition of youth as a critical component of national development, the research examines how access to quality education, leadership programs, and student-led initiatives empower students to impact their communities positively. Employing a mixed-methods design, the study integrates surveys of 100 students, semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers and youth program coordinators, and case studies of student-led initiatives across multiple schools. Findings reveal that students develop leadership, problem-solving, communication, and civic engagement skills through structured programs and extracurricular activities. The study identifies challenges such as limited resources and balancing academics with community projects. Recommendations include the establishment of structured mentorship programs, resource allocation, and partnerships with NGOs to scale student-led initiatives. By highlighting innovative approaches and actionable strategies, this research contributes to understanding how youth empowerment through education can drive sustainable community development locally and internationally (UNESCO, 2020; UNICEF, 2019)

This research explores how informal savings methods serve as alternatives to traditional microfinance in enhancing women's empowerment in Kano State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods strategy was employed, collecting data from 250 women participating in adashe, ajo, and thrift savings groups spanning five local government areas, alongside six focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative results obtained through paired-sample t-tests showed notable increases in average monthly income-from ₦18,500 prior to joining to ₦28,700 postparticipation (p < 0.05)-and in household decision-making independence (from 34% to 61%). Qualitative insights indicated advancements in self-esteem, negotiation capabilities for business, and the capacity to fund education without spousal consent. Nonetheless, issues such as financial mismanagement, loan defaults, exclusion of the most impoverished women, and susceptibility to inflation were also noted. Grounded in Social Capital Theory and Empowerment Theory, the study concludes that informal savings groups create a culturally relevant, trust-based avenue for financial inclusion and socioeconomic empowerment. Suggestions include integrating these groups with formal financial institutions through adaptable partnerships, enhancing governance through training, offering microinsurance products, and utilising digital platforms to promote greater transparency and security.

Original Research Article Access to energy is a vital factor in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable livelihoods in developing countries. In Nigeria, the potential of natural gas to improve living conditions is substantial; however, its use is unevenly spread across urban and rural areas. This research examines the role of natural gas adoption in promoting equitable poverty alleviation in Nigeria, employing a mixedmethods approach that combines household surveys, logistic regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that the use of natural gas is significantly influenced by income levels, educational attainment, and geographical location, with urban areas exhibiting markedly higher adoption rates. Regression analysis reveals a statistically significant and positive correlation between natural gas adoption and poverty reduction. Concurrently, qualitative insights reveal systemic obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure and cost issues, particularly in rural areas. The study concludes that while natural gas has considerable potential as a tool for reducing poverty, its effectiveness is compromised by uneven access to it. Policy suggestions include expanding infrastructure, providing targeted financial support, implementing awareness initiatives, and adopting comprehensive policy approaches to ensure broad access and promote rural development.

Institution Students in Nigeria. The objectives of the research are to assess the current state of entrepreneurship education programs in Nigeria tertiary institutions, the factors influencing students to startup a business and the challenges faced by students in starting up a business. A descriptive approach was used, using quantitative data from surveys with 250 students at the selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The findings reveal that while 80% of students have taken entrepreneurship-related courses, many feel inadequately prepared to start a business, with 40% expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of education. The main factors influencing business start-ups include financial support (72%), family support (60%), and the availability of business ideas (48%). However, significant challenges such as the lack of start-up capital (48%), insufficient mentorship (32%), and difficulty accessing funding (12%) hinder students' entrepreneurial aspirations. The study recommended that Nigeria tertiary institutions should enhance its entrepreneurship programs by providing start-up capital, strengthening mentorship initiatives, fostering industry collaborations, and creating a more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This study investigates Entrepreneurship education and business startups among Tertiary Institution Students in Nigeria. The objectives of the research are to assess the current state of entrepreneurship education programs in Nigeria tertiary institutions, the factors influencing students to startup a business and the challenges faced by students in starting up a business. A descriptive approach was used, using quantitative data from surveys with 250 students at the selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The findings reveal that while 80% of students have taken entrepreneurship-related courses, many feel inadequately prepared to start a business, with 40% expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of education. The main factors influencing business start-ups include financial support (72%), family support (60%), and the availability of business ideas (48%). However, significant challenges such as the lack of start-up capital (48%), insufficient mentorship (32%), and difficulty accessing funding (12%) hinder students' entrepreneurial aspirations. The study recommended that Nigeria tertiary institutions should enhance its entrepreneurship programs by providing start-up capital, strengthening mentorship initiatives, fostering industry collaborations, and creating a more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This research explores how informal savings methods serve as alternatives to traditional microfinance in enhancing women's empowerment in Kano State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods strategy was employed, collecting data from 250 women participating in adashe, ajo, and thrift savings groups spanning five local government areas, alongside six focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative results obtained through paired-sample t-tests showed notable increases in average monthly income-from ₦18,500 prior to joining to ₦28,700 postparticipation (p < 0.05)-and in household decision-making independence (from 34% to 61%). Qualitative insights indicated advancements in self-esteem, negotiation capabilities for business, and the capacity to fund education without spousal consent. Nonetheless, issues such as financial mismanagement, loan defaults, exclusion of the most impoverished women, and susceptibility to inflation were also noted. Grounded in Social Capital Theory and Empowerment Theory, the study concludes that informal savings groups create a culturally relevant, trust-based avenue for financial inclusion and socioeconomic empowerment. Suggestions include integrating these groups with formal financial institutions through adaptable partnerships, enhancing governance through training, offering microinsurance products, and utilising digital platforms to promote greater transparency and security.

Youth in communities across the world are exposed to adversity and trauma at high levels. In this article, we describe a research-informed, resilience-promoting framework that can be incorporated into a variety of touch points for youth (e.g., school, family, community, extra-curricular activities). The PEEPS Framework is relational in nature and includes the following five interconnected components: (a) positive adult relationships, (b) esteem, (c) empathy, (d) peer relationships, and (e) strengths-based approach. We outline the research that supports each component, describe how we are currently implementing the PEEPS framework in the form of a volunteer training, and offer research-based suggestions for implementation and tools that other professionals can utilize.

This article investigates the current provision of guidance counselling in Youthreach education. Current research and policy on guidance counselling provision in Youthreach suggests that there is an apparent gap in policy outlining clear guidelines (NCGE 2019: SOLAS 2020). This article aims to investigate these claims in more detail by combining themes from current literature and policy with themes identified in the data obtained from qualitative semi-structured interviews with eight Youthreach coordinators and eight former students.

School Leaving (ESL) represents a massive loss of potential to individuals who leave school and can have a much wider social and economic cost. This study examines Early School Leaving (ESL) and resilience among young people aged 15 – 20 in the Republic of Ireland. The research explores negative internalised stereotypes and how they affect Early School Leavers (ESLs). Three Positive Youth Development (PYD) programmes were used to challenge these stereotypes.
Youth Participatory Action Research was used as a methodology to identify the problems faced by ESLs and to take action on the issues identified. 19 participants were recruited from a Youthreach centre and they participated in three PYD Programmes including; Research Action Project (RAP), GAISCE, and Canoeing Skills. Qualitative data were collected through notes taken on informal conversations with participants, and the reflections of the participants. Quantitative data were collected through the Child and Youth Resilience Measure before and after their participation in the programmes. A regional survey of forty Youthreach centres was used to identify issues relating to ESL.
A cycle of discrimination, depression and drug use were important issues affecting the lives of ESLs. Mentorship was determined to be important in combating internalised stereotypes. The evidence suggests that PYD programmes can increase resilience in ESLs.
Keywords: Early School Leaving, Resilience, Positive Youth Development, Youthreach.

This study examines the role of natural gas as a catalyst for economic development and poverty reduction in Nigeria, with a focus on its potential to expand energy access, stimulate industrial growth, and improve livelihoods in both urban and rural areas. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data from selected states with interviews of policymakers and energy experts, as well as focus group discussions with local community members. The findings reveal that despite policy initiatives such as the "Decade of Gas" and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the translation of natural gas potential into inclusive economic outcomes remains limited due to infrastructural bottlenecks, policy inconsistency, and regional disparities in gas utilisation. The study highlights the importance of deliberate investments in gas infrastructure, decentralised energy systems, and inclusive policy frameworks that integrate natural gas development with social equity and poverty alleviation. It concludes that natural gas, if properly harnessed, can play a transformative role in Nigeria's sustainable development agenda by driving industrialisation, improving energy access, and reducing multidimensional poverty. Recommendations include strengthening regulatory implementation, incentivising private sector participation, and integrating gas development strategies into national and subnational poverty reduction programs.

This study examines the role of natural gas as a catalyst for economic development and poverty reduction in Nigeria, with a focus on its potential to expand energy access, stimulate industrial growth, and improve livelihoods in both urban and rural areas. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data from selected states with interviews of policymakers and energy experts, as well as focus group discussions with local community members. The findings reveal that despite policy initiatives such as the "Decade of Gas" and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the translation of natural gas potential into inclusive economic outcomes remains limited due to infrastructural bottlenecks, policy inconsistency, and regional disparities in gas utilisation. The study highlights the importance of deliberate investments in gas infrastructure, decentralised energy systems, and inclusive policy frameworks that integrate natural gas development with social equity and poverty alleviation. It concludes that natural gas, if properly harnessed, can play a transformative role in Nigeria's sustainable development agenda by driving industrialisation, improving energy access, and reducing multidimensional poverty. Recommendations include strengthening regulatory implementation, incentivising private sector participation, and integrating gas development strategies into national and subnational poverty reduction programs.

Primary education in Bangladesh is the seed from which the nation's future grows, laying the groundwork for literacy, skills, and social progress. Over the last few decades, Bangladesh has made incredible progress in bringing more children into the classroom through smart government policies, dedicated NGO work, and global partnerships. Still, major hurdles remain, such as improving the quality of teaching, reducing student dropout rates, upgrading school buildings, and ensuring all regions have equal opportunities. This article explores the journey of primary education in Bangladesh-celebrating its successes, examining its challenges, and looking toward the future. The proposed path forward involves empowering teachers, embracing digital learning, and creating an inclusive system for all children. These changes are key to unlocking human potential and helping Bangladesh achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Youth have access to and utilize various types of technology at a growing rate. Cell phones are a portable way for adolescents to remain in constant contact with friends, parents, and others. While White youth are more likely to have a cell phone compared to Latino youth, the trends for cell phone use are similar among all teens with text messaging serving as the most popular means of communication. Despite their high volume of communication with others via cell phones, adolescents are likely to have little or no adult supervision while using technology. With a lack of parental supervision or awareness regarding youth technology use, adolescents may be especially vulnerable to cyberbullying and other negative health impacts. The current study investigates cell phone and texting use among a community sample of Latino adolescents and examines how parental rules regarding cell phone use influences adolescents' cell phone and texting behaviors.

Introduction: The Youth in Crisis Young South Africans today are confronted with a myriad of interconnected challenges that threaten their future and the stability of the nation. High unemployment rates, educational disparities, safety concerns, and mental health struggles are just a few of the pressing issues that plague the youth. These challenges are exacerbated by the enduring legacy of apartheid, which has left deep socioeconomic scars. As the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) grapples with its role in this complex landscape, it must redefine its strategies to effectively advocate for the interests of young South Africans. Young South Africans face a multitude of interconnected challenges, including high unemployment, education inequality, and safety concerns. These issues are often compounded by poverty, limited access to resources, and the lingering effects of apartheid-era inequalities.

An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference papers series in 2012. It includes only the papers submitted for publication after they were presented at one of the conferences organized by our Institute every year. The papers published in the series have not been refereed and are published as they were submitted by the author. The series serves two purposes. First, we want to disseminate the information as fast as possible. Second, by doing so, the authors can receive comments useful to revise their papers before they are considered for publication in one of ATINER's books, following our standard procedures of a blind review.

Poverty in Indonesia is often oversimplified as the result of laziness or a lack of skills, yet recent data reveals a deeper reality: children from poor families are frequently born undernourished, attend schools that fail to equip them with essential life skills, and end up in labor markets that shut the door to upward mobility. These three chains, education, health, and employment, are interconnected in a system that, instead of unlocking opportunities, entrenches social position across generations. This paper seeks to unpack how public policy shapes and sustains this cycle, and to identify the leverage points for breaking it, with the aim of offering a clearer vision of what must change so that being born at the back of the line no longer means being left behind for life.

The purpose of this study was to pilot the use of the CPQA Camper Survey, a camper self-report survey to assess summer camp program quality. The survey is based on the best practices identified in the American Camp Association’s Camp Program Quality Assessment (CPQA) short form (American Camp Association, n.d.). Best practices are organized into 5 subscales on the CPQA: staff behavior; emotional safety; camper choice, planning, and reflection; learning at c& and nature. The CPQA Camper Survey asked youth campers at 5 different overnight camps to report on their perceptions of how often camp program quality best practices occur at summer camp. Results from the surveys collected showed that for each of the 5 subscales, campers’ average camp program quality ratings tended to cluster around the upper end of the rating scales. Respondents’ answers were consistent across the questions comprising each subscale, which indicates that the questions in each subscale reliably measure the same c...

Healthy Kids, Healthy Families is a program of outreach and research that has been developed to address treatment and prevention of the childhood obesity epidemic through a family-centered, multidisciplinary approach. The American Dietetic Association recommends community-based and environmental interventions as the most feasible methods to support healthful lifestyles for the greatest numbers of children and families (Ritchie, Crawford, Hoelscher, & Sothern, 2006). Healthy Kids, Healthy Families was developed as an innovative, collaborative program to help children and families maintain healthy weight, through impacting the systemic medical and psychosocial aspects of overweight in children. The program involves in-home, family-based intervention followed by multi-family group education and community outreach.

PurposeThe paper seeks to disclose the features and implications of the neoliberal VET and employment policy agendas for the social and institutional VET ecosystems and the integration of at-risk youth in the labour market in the Baltic countries.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on the comparative policy analysis approach with reference to the theories of social and skill formation ecosystems and the historical institutionalism perspective.FindingsThe research has revealed three interconnected and alternately/simultaneously applied development pathways in the skill formation and vocational education of at-risk youth in the Baltic countries: (1) the market-oriented approach based on fostering immediate employability based on the momentary skills needs in the economy; (2) the state-assistance approach based on ensuring equal access to the VET and employment services by the state and (3) the approach of systemic support to socially disadvantaged or at-risk young people ...

Drug abuse has emerged as a critical public health crisis in Harare, Zimbabwe, with severe implications for the city's youth, families, and socioeconomic stability. Despite the absence of official prevalence statistics, anecdotal evidence and rehabilitation center records reveal an alarming scale of the problem-facilities are at full capacity, treating approximately 5,000 individuals at any given time, while tens of thousands remain without access to care. The