Youth

According to the United Nations, 'today, a quarter of the global population – 1.8 billion people – are between the ages of 15 and 35; the largest generation of youth the world has ever known.' Young people are invaluable assets, bringing energy, talent, cutting-edge skills, and creativity to the job market. Their motivation serves as the engine driving countries to grow, innovate, and prosper. However, the social and economic integration of young people remains a persistent challenge in many parts of the world.

Our Youth programs provide a platform for youth skills development and dialogues on issues pertinent to young people and their involvement in policymaking. The objective is to cultivate a network of future leaders capable of collaboratively addressing pressing global challenges.

Current Programs

1.      Youth Mental Health

2.      Skills Development

3.      Policy Dialogues

1.      Youth Mental Health

Bridging Minds Program

Problem: Mental health challenges are a growing global issue, particularly in African and diaspora communities, where stigma and limited resources often hinder access to proper care. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 in 4 people globally will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives, with youth being particularly vulnerable. In African and diaspora communities, cultural stigma surrounding mental health remains high, creating significant barriers to seeking help and addressing these challenges.

Program Overview: The Bridging Minds program is an innovative initiative that connects youth from Africa and the U.S. to tackle mental health challenges in different cultural contexts. This collaborative effort creates a safe, supportive space where young people can share their stories, learn from one another’s experiences, and work towards breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. Through open dialogue, storytelling, and capacity-building, the program empowers participants to become advocates for mental health awareness and resilience within their communities.

Goals & Key Components The Bridging Minds program seeks to break down mental health stigma in African and diaspora communities, establish a youth-led global network of mental health advocates, and promote sustainable, culturally relevant mental health initiatives. Through cross-continental dialogue, storytelling for healing, leadership training, and the development of culturally sensitive resources, the program empowers young Africans to lead mental health advocacy efforts, fostering understanding and resilience across different communities.

2.      Youth Skills Development

Youth Learning Centers

Problem: Unemployment, underemployment, and limited skills development opportunities are pressing issues for Zimbabwe's youth, particularly in rural areas. A significant number of young people between the ages of 15 and 35 are not engaged in education, employment, or training. In rural regions, these challenges are exacerbated by a lack of access to digital infrastructure, such as reliable internet and affordable devices. Schools often struggle with insufficient resources and a lack of trained teachers for digital literacy. Cultural resistance to technology and gender disparities further marginalize rural youth, leaving them excluded from the rapidly growing digital and AI-driven economy. This exclusion contributes to the cycle of unemployment and limits their ability to participate in or benefit from technological advancements.

Program Overview: The Youth Learning Centers program tackles these challenges by establishing tech hubs in both rural and urban areas of Zimbabwe, utilizing existing community infrastructure. These Centers are managed by trained community members and offer a variety of courses in digital literacy, digital marketing, content creation, entrepreneurship, social media management, AI, responsible technology use, mental health awareness and others. With the rising demand for digital skills and the growth of AI, this program provides young people with pathways to self-employment while also emphasizing the importance of mental health in the digital age.

Goals and Key Components: The program aims to provide essential digital skills to over 1,000 youth each year, creating dignified work opportunities. The Centers focus on equipping participants with cutting-edge skills in emerging technologies and fostering entrepreneurship, enabling them to actively contribute to the economy. By addressing the need for both digital proficiency and responsible technology use, the program ensures that youth are prepared for the evolving digital landscape.

3.      Policy Dialogues

Problem: Youth exclusion from policy formulation and meaningful engagement remains a significant barrier to inclusive governance and sustainable development. Despite making up a large portion of the population, young people are often marginalized in decision-making processes that directly affect their lives. According to the United Nations, over 1.8 billion youth globally are under the age of 30, yet their participation in shaping policies remains limited. In many African nations, the youth voice is underrepresented in policy formulation, leaving them disengaged from critical discussions around economic development, education, climate change, and other pressing issues. This lack of engagement hinders innovation and overlooks the potential of youth to contribute to national and global progress.

Program Overview: Through our Youth Summits and Policy Dialogues programs, we provide a platform for young people from Africa and the U.S. to not only have a seat but also a meaningful voice in shaping policies that affect their futures. These programs enable youth to share their ideas, perspectives, and strengths, and actively contribute to the design and implementation of policies, programs, and strategies at national and global levels. The dialogues cover a broad spectrum of global challenges, including education, climate change, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and conflict resolution. The cross-continental nature of these dialogues highlights successful U.S.–Africa youth partnerships, fostering impactful collaborations and showcasing models of effective youth engagement.

Goals and Key Components: The Policy Dialogues program aims to elevate youth voices in policy-making and drive collaborative efforts to tackle global challenges. By offering platforms for constructive dialogue, the program encourages young people to take an active role in shaping policies, sharing their insights on issues such as climate change, education, and digital connectivity.