Who is a Youth?
Youth are young people who are on the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
What is Youth Leadership?
Youth leadership can be defined in two ways. Firstly, it can be defined as the ability of a youth to influence, guide or direct others on a course of action, an opinion and/or behaviour of other people. Secondly, it can be explained as a youth’s ability to analyse his or her own strengths and weaknesses and set personal and vocational goals and have the self-esteem to reach their goals. This includes the ability to identify available resources and establish support networks while living independently.
The first part of the youth leadership definition above focuses on the ability of influencing others whereas the second part focuses on self-leadership, relationship building and responsibility.
From another perspective, some scholars also define youth leadership as the involvement of youth in responsible, challenging acts that meets genuine needs, with opportunities for planning and decision making.
Why is Youth Leadership Development Important?
The importance of developing youth leadership skills is emphasised by many scholars for the long-term overall positive development of a youth. This process involves developing specific competencies which are required by a youth to face challenges during adolescence and the transition to adulthood. In particular, the process of youth leadership development builds key competencies such as good judgement and the ability to make better decisions.
What Does a Youth Leadership Program Involve?
Generally, a successful youth leadership program involves four elements:
Youth/adult partnerships,
Granting young people decision-making power and responsibility,
A broad context for learning and service; and
Recognition of young people’s experience, knowledge, and skills.
Most youth leadership programs focus on developing the competencies of project planning & management, problem solving, working in teams, decision making, goal setting, time management, effective communication, networking, conflict resolution, diversity awareness and self-confidence.
What is the Difference Between Youth Leadership and Adult Leadership?
The difference between the skills required by adults and youth depends on the context of where they are applied. In adult leadership development programs, a broad range of specific managerial, technical, analytical, financial or information technology skills are taught. Meanwhile, youth leadership development programs heavily focus on the competencies of self-understanding, public speaking, communication, taking responsibility, decision making, teamwork and vision.
What Support is Needed from Adults?
The support from adults for youth leadership development is paramount. It is the responsibility of parents and other caring adults to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of their young children to improve their skills to meet the challenges they would face on their way to adulthood.
What Role do Governments Play?
Governments generally focus their youth policies to minimise antisocial behaviours of youth. Under these youth policies, youth leadership development programs are offered for troubled youths.
Conclusion
To conclude, youth leadership development is a component of youth development. It is a process of developing a set of skills in youth which are required for personal growth as well as for influencing others for a mutual benefit.
Youth leadership programs such as the Viskam Youth Leadership Program serve as an excellent foundation for young children to learn, practice and improve key competencies which are required for a successful transition into adulthood.