Written by Md. Junayed Alam (North South University, Bangladesh)
“Investing in our children’s education is the most important investment we can make in our collective future.”
-Barack Obama
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
-Billy Graham, Evangelist
Introduction
As the saying goes, ‘youth is the future’. And it is true – the success of any society depends on the health, well-being, and potential of its young people. That is why investing in youth development is so important. By supporting and empowering young people, we can help them reach their full potential and create a brighter, more equitable future for all. In this blog, we will delve into the world of youth development and explore the many ways in which we can invest in the future – starting with our youth.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in 2019 there were 1.2 billion individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 years old, or approximately one in every six people worldwide (UNFPA, 2019). The growth of these young individuals is essential, as they constitute a vital part of society. This blog discusses the benefits of investing in youth development, the challenges young people face, and how individuals, organizations, and governments can invest. These initiatives will promote equity and inclusiveness.
Challenges Facing Youths
Young people face a wide range of challenges that can impact their development, including poverty, lack of access to education and job opportunities, discrimination, and violence. These challenges can have a significant impact on young people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their ability to succeed in school and in their future careers.
Poverty
One of the major challenges facing young people is poverty. According to the World Bank, around 385 million young people (aged 15-24) are living in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.90 a day (World Bank, 2020). This can make it difficult for young people to access education and job opportunities, which can in turn limit their ability to break out of poverty.
Lack of access to education and job opportunities
Lack of access to education and job opportunities is another major challenge facing young people. According to the United Nations, around 258 million children and youth are out of school, with the majority being from low- and middle-income countries (UNESCO, 2021). This can limit young people’s ability to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and in their future careers.
Discrimination
Discrimination also a significant challenge that many young people face. Young people from marginalized communities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, can face discrimination in various aspects of their lives, including in education and in the job market. Studies have shown that discrimination can have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of young people and can limit their ability to succeed in life (Forbes, 2019).
Violence
Violence is another significant challenge faced by many young people. Exposure to violence can have a negative impact on young people’s mental and emotional well-being and can limit their ability to succeed in life. Studies show that young people exposed to violence are at risk of developing mental health problems and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors (CDC, 2018).
The question is, what can we do to address these challenges and empower young people to succeed? By investing in their development, we have the power to shape a brighter future for our communities and our society. Will we choose to stand idly by and watch as young people struggle, or will we act and invest in their future? The choice is ours.
The Benefits of Investing in Youth Development
Investing in the development of young people can have a wide range of benefits for society. (“Codesign and Implementation of a Toolkit Supporting Community …”) For individuals, investing in education and other forms of development can increase their chances of getting a decent job, earning a higher salary, and having a more fulfilling life. This can also lead to reduced crime rates, as young people who have access to educational and employment opportunities are less likely to turn to criminal activity.
- Economic Growth: One of the key economic benefits is the potential for increased workforce productivity and economic growth. When young people have access to education and training opportunities, they are better equipped to enter the workforce and contribute to economic growth. Investing in youth development can also lead to reduced poverty and inequality, which can have positive ripple effects throughout society (Harvard University, “The Economic Benefits of Investing in Youth,” n.d.). When young people are well-educated and skilled, they can get better jobs and make more money, which can help to grow the economy. Additionally, investing in youth development can also help to reduce poverty and inequality. When young people have access to education and training, they are more likely to have good jobs and be financially stable, which can improve the overall well-being of society.
- Building a Stronger and More Prosperous Society: Investing in youth development can lead to positive outcomes such as responsible and engaged citizens, reduced criminal activities, and increased educational attainment. One specific way that investing in youth development can lead to positive outcomes is through increased educational attainment. By providing young people with access to quality education and training opportunities, we can help them to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed in school and in the workforce. This can lead to higher graduation rates and improved economic opportunities for young people (Davidson & Davidson, 2016). Investing in young people’s development is critical for building a strong and thriving society. Individuals, organizations, and governments, among others, all have a significant role in investing in youth development. Individuals can promote youth development by participating in mentorship programs and donating their time and resources to organizations that help young people.
- Reducing Crime Rates: Investing in youth development can also lead to reduced crime rates. When young people have access to positive role models and activities, and are supported in their development, they are less likely to engage in criminal behavior (Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997). In Bangladesh, the government should invest more in youth development initiatives to create a more educated, empowered, and socially responsible generation of young people. These initiatives include vocational training, technical education, entrepreneurship, internships, financial assistance, and mentoring programs. These initiatives are helping to provide young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce and lead productive lives. As a result, these initiatives will help to reduce crime rates in Bangladesh and create a more prosperous society.
But the question remains, are we doing enough as a society to support and invest in the development of our youth? Are we providing them with the necessary resources, opportunities, and support to help them overcome the challenges they face? Are we deeply committed to building a brighter future for all, or are we content to leave some behind? It is time to act, to invest in our youth and to build a stronger and more equitable society for all.
Ways to Invest in Youth Development
Investing in young people’s development is critical for building a strong and thriving society. Individuals, organizations, and governments, among others, all have a significant role in investing in youth development. Individuals can promote youth development by participating in mentorship programs and volunteering their time and resources to organizations that help young people.
- The role of individuals in investing in youth development: Individuals play a significant role in investing in youth development. One-way individuals can invest in youth development is through mentorship programs. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, mentorship can have a significant impact on the personal and professional development of young people (Kram, 1985). Additionally, individuals can also invest in youth development by volunteering their time and resources to organizations that support young people, such as youth clubs and after-school programs.
- Organizations can invest in youth development: Organizations can invest in youth development in several ways. One way is by offering mentorship programs for young employees. By providing young employees with mentorship and coaching, organizations can help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers (Rosen, 2007). Organizations can also invest in youth development by providing internships and job opportunities to young people, giving them valuable work experience, and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Furthermore, they can also invest in youth development by providing grants, scholarships, or other forms of financial support to young people pursuing education or training opportunities (Barker, 1999).
- Discussion of the role of governments in investing in youth development: Governments have a critical role to play in investing in youth development. One way that governments can invest in youth development is through education. By providing young people with access to quality education, governments can help them acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce (Finn, 1989). Governments can also invest in youth development by funding programs and initiatives that support young people, such as youth clubs, after-school programs, and job training programs (Lerner, 2004). Furthermore, governments can also invest in youth development by enacting policies and legislation that support young people, such as raising the minimum wage, providing affordable housing, and expanding access to healthcare.
Conclusion
Imagine a world where young people are given the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. They are given the chance to gain hands-on experience through internships and job opportunities, and they are provided with the financial support they need to pursue education and training.
Let’s Join Youth Movement!
Now, imagine how much more successful, prosperous, and equitable that world would be. This is what investing in youth development can achieve. By investing in young people, we can ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, which in turn can lead to reduced crime rates, increased economic growth, and a more educated and engaged citizenry. Invest in youth development movement to make a real impact on the lives of young people in Bangladesh and beyond. As an individual, organization, or government leader you can play a significant role by mentoring, providing job and internship opportunities, funding programs and initiatives.
Together we can create a better world for young people by investing in their future, building a prosperous, just, and equitable society for all. Will you be part of creating this brighter future for our youth? Use your imagination and join the movement to invest in youth development today.
References
Harvard University. (n.d.). The Economic Benefits of Investing in Youth. Retrieved from https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/programs/youth-development-program/resources/economic- benefits-investing-youth
Davidson, R., & Davidson, R. (2016). The economic benefits of investing in education. Journal of Economic Growth, 21(1), 1-34. doi:10.1007/s10887-016-9127-9
Sampson, R., Raudenbush, S., & Earls, F. (1997). “Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy.” (“Neighborhoods and Violent Crime: A Multilevel Study of Collective …”) Science, 277(5328), 918-924. doi:10.1126/science.277.5328.9184-H. (n.d.). 4-H Club. Retrieved from https://www.4-h.org/what-is-4-h/4-h-club/
The Prince’s Trust. (n.d.). About The Prince’s Trust. Retrieved from https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about World Bank, 2020. World Development Indicators 2020.
UNESCO, 2021. Education For All Global Monitoring Report 2021.
Forbes, 2019. The Psychological Impact of Discrimination on Youth. CDC, 2018. Exposure to violence and adverse childhood experiences.
ram, K. E. (1985). Mentoring at work: Developmental relationships in organizational life. ILR Press. Rosen, B. (2007). The mentor’s guide: Facilitating effective learning relationships. John Wiley & Sons.
Barker, P. (1999). “The scholarship book: The comprehensive guide to private-sector scholarships, grants, and loans for undergraduates.” (“The Scholarship Book: The Comprehensive Guide to Private-Sector …”) Peterson’s.
Finn, C. E. (1989). With equity and excellence: A new perspective on school reform. Harvard Educational Review, 59(2), 129-159.
Lerner, R. M. (2004). Positive youth development. American Psychologist, 59(2), 170-183.