Right after lunch today, over 700 delegates dispersed to their respective Focus Groups which they had signed up for.
Azri and I were at the the Focus Group entitled ‘Empowerment of Young People’, which was done World Cafe style, and led by Enactus.
Uncertain and challenging, the path which lies ahead of the future generations will require a large and diverse range of social skills and practical capabilities. This world cafe’ addresses the need to prepare young people to make intelligent, innovative and proactive decisions resulting in more sustainable outcomes for all. In this sense, social business can be the tool to help youngster seize their own potential for change.
The topics which were discussed in this Focus Group:
- Table 1: Empowerment through Education
- Table 2: Empowerment through Actions
- Table 3: Cultural/Social Barriers that impede Youth Empowerment
- Table 4: How Youth are Empowered
- Table 5: How Young People are Changing the World
Some of the key takeaways:
Youths do not need the encouragement to dive straight into the causes they are passionate about. They already want to do it, but what they need is the infrastructure (both hard and soft) to help them make it happen.
Youths value peer-to-peer sharing and this is very infectious because when they see how cool it is to do good, it becomes very natural for them to want to be involved too.
Education systems all around the world need to value experiential learning and practical skills. Theories taught within the four walls of the classrooms need to be applied in real life.
Youths want recognition – this will spur them to be more involved in projects and initiatives. This recognition can come from their peers, institutions of authority, and their communities.
Youths need to be aware of their options post-graduation – following your heart and the causes you are passionate about is increasingly become an alternative career for youths as they enter the workforce.