Youth Empowerment free essay sample

Youth empowerment is a process whereby young people gain the ability and authority to make decisions and implement change in their own lives. In Nigeria, youth empowerment occurs in homes, at schools, through youth organizations, government policy-making, reality Tv Shows, and community organizing campaigns. Youth empowerment ranges from economic empowerment to social, Ideological, educational, technological and political empowerment. The term â€Å"youth empowerment† combines two important words (â€Å"youth† and â€Å"empowerment† which must be defined differently. The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines ‘youth’, as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. While the Webster Dictionary (1998), defines empowerment in three ways â€Å"(1) to give official authority or legal power to; (2) enable; (3) to promote the self actualization or influence. † The strategy proscribed by the first definition can be quite effective provided that the party being empowered already has the competencies needed to achieve the desired outcome. The strategy does not work well when it is plugged into a framework of youth development in which empowerment itself is being used as a strategy for developing competencies in youth. We will write a custom essay sample on Youth Empowerment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page , youth empowerment does the following for African youths: The ability to make decisions about personal/collective circumstances, The ability to access information and resources for decision making, Ability to consider a range of options from which to choose Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making, Having positive-thinking about the ability to make change, Ability to learn and access skills for improving personal/collective circumstance. Ability to inform others’ perceptions though exchange, education and engagement. Historically speaking, it is not clear when the term ‘Youth Empowerment’ entered into the Nigerian socio-political and economic vocabulary. The term perhaps, resonates more as an attempt by stakeholders to draw attention to the ecological degradation and economic ‘powerlessness’ of those living in the oil rich Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The Niger Delta youth adopted militant approach to fight for resource control in the region. The Federal Government responded by arresting what they perceive as youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, and hus, introduced various program targeted at diverting the attention of the youths. This might have influenced their use of the term ‘youth empowerment’ as a new vocabulary in governance. In the words of A. Emielu (2008), the concept of youth empowerment in the Niger Delta area could be seen more as a negotiated relationship between government agencies and the ‘restive youths’, born more out of fear of destabilizing the national economy, than by the need to develop the creative potentials of the Nigerian youth. A State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy was launched by the State Government in 2004 as a plan of action aimed at tackling the problems of development in Taraba State. The essence of developing the plan was to reduce poverty, generate employment, create wealth and re-orientate the value system in the State and pave way for sustainable development over a short to medium term from 2005 to 2007. Therefore This research seeks to examine the evolution of youth empowerment in Taraba State with emphasis on young people both in rural and urban areas of the state. If empowering young people means creating and supporting the enabling conditions under which young people can act on their own behalf, and on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others, this study therefore sets out to present a historical analysis of what the Taraba State government has been able to provide since its creation in 1991 to empower the youths. Youth empowerment free essay sample 1, Install Norton 360. 2, Make up the details when it asks to register, It is advised to make note of the email and password. 3, Turn of Norton Tamper Protection. 4, Reboot your computer 5, Continuously press F8 on your keyobard BEFORE the windows is starting screen. 6, Select safe mode with networking 7, Once at the desktop (SAFE MODE) open the trial reset as admin. 8, Select convert and it should automatically restart your computer. 8, Open Norton 360 and it should ask you to log in simply enter the detail you did before or make up new details and now you can enjoy 😀 Yes you can update the program with out any issues. This should work for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 ! If you have any issues please leave a comment below or send me a message on YouTube. Virus Scan of the setup provided in the link above: If this tutorial helped you please leave a like and if you wish to subscribe for more awesome tutorials 🙂 I do not own the provided applications I have simple shown how to use them for educational purposes. We will write a custom essay sample on Youth empowerment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults.[1] Youth empowerment is often addressed as a gateway to intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building. Many local, state, provincial, regional, national, and international government agencies and nonprofit community-based organizations provide programs centered on youth empowerment[2]. Activities involved therein may focus on youth-led media, youth rights, youth councils, youth activism, youth involvement in community decision-making[3], and other methods. Everyone seems to be talking about empowerment these days, female empowerment, workers empowerment, and youth empowerment are just some of the phrases that are flying around. But what exactly does that empowerment mean, and how can one apply the concept to their own life? History of Youth Empowerment: The youth empowerment movement started in the 1960s, when students at universities across the United States began to get involved in politics and protests on campus. Even earlier than that, campuses and students had played a large role in the Civil Rights movement and in other political and social movements, but for the first time youth and students began to be seen as political and social actors. In response to the Vietnam War, student protests and organizations sprung up, and students demanded the right to be heard. Since those rebellious days, youth empowerment has calmed down significantly, but it continues to be an important part of childhood development and an essential phase of the transition to adulthood. Typically taking place during High School and college years, the transition is accompanied by increased involvement in student activities and a growing independence in making life choices and choosing a personal direction. At the [continues] Read full essay Youth Empowerment free essay sample Youth empowerment is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults. [l] Youth empowerment is often addressed as a gateway to intergenerational equity, civic engagement and democracy building. Many local, state, provincial, regional, national, and international government agencies and nonprofit community-based organizations provide programs centered on youth empowerment[2]. Activities nvolved therein may focus on youth-led media, youth rights, youth councils, youth activism, youth involvement in community decision-making[3], and other methods. Everyone seems to be talking about empowerment these days, female empowerment, workers empowerment, and youth empowerment are Just some of the phrases that are flying around. But what exactly does that empowerment mean, and how can one apply the concept to their own life? History of Youth Empowerment: The youth empowerment movement started in the 1960s, when students at universities across the United States began to get involved in politics and protests on ampus. We will write a custom essay sample on Youth Empowerment or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Even earlier than that, campuses and students had played a large role in the Civil Rights movement and in other political and social movements, but for the first time youth and students began to be seen as political and social actors. In response to the Vietnam War, student protests and organizations sprung up, and students demanded the right to be heard. Since those rebellious days, youth empowerment has calmed down significantly, but it continues to be an important part of childhood development and an essential phase of the transition to adulthood. Typically taking place during High School and ollege years, the transition is accompanied by increased involvement in student activities and a growing independence in making life choices and choosing a personal direction. At the same time, young teens making that transition to adulthood learn to make their own decisions and stick by them, and hopefully to learn from their own mistakes. It is a time when young people being to go out into the world on their own and to learn how to succeed on their own terms. How to encourage youth empowerment: Because youth empowerment and personal growth are so important for young people to learn, the process should be encouraged and understood. During this difficult period of transition, young adults often have many questions and issues, and parents and families should try to respond in a sensitive way to the specific needs of the children. One of the most common and beneficial ways to encourage personal growth and empowerment is to give young adults increased responsibilities in their own lives. An after-school Job, for example, can be a great way to teach a growing child about the important of time management, while giving them a chance to earn some personal money. Just as important as letting them take the Job is letting them se the money they earn for the things they like. Secondly, school organizations and clubs are also a place for growing teens to become involved in their community and clubs to a music group can teach your child valuable skills while helping them explore their own interests. Finally, summer internships can also be a valuable way to give children and students work experience and Job skills at a young age. Internships can also get youth thinking about possible career opportunities or directions for their own future, and are a great opportunity for making them feel independent and on their own. Possible problems with youth empowerment: As children grow older and begin to set out on their own path and take charge of their lives, it is common for problems to arise between them and their parents. Often, a rebellious phase accompanies issues of youth empowerment, and a child may feel they need additional space from their family to grown in their own direction and under their own control. The best thing to do in these cases is often for a parent or family to show that they care about heir child and to encourage them to explore on their own, with the support of the family when they need it. Letting children take on their own challenges and treating them with respect and dignity as they do so is likely to bring out a more responsible and respectful attitude in the child themselves. And while giving advice is a common desire by parents who want to spare their children the pain of making mistakes, often learning through trial and error is an integral part of growing up and becoming self-empowered. As children grow up and begin to set out on their own, through youth empowerment and increased self- direction, they should be encouraged and given positive feedback. Being a child is ard enough, especially in the transition to adulthood, and understanding and sensitive parents can be a major help in successfully making that transition. Empowering Youth As I have stated a little while ago, the major thrust of our new National Youth Policy is Youth Empowerment. This is being achieved through various initiatives taken by both the Goverm-nent and Non Governmental Organizations. The reduction of the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 in the year 1989 and a legislative measure taken in 1992 providing for reservation of one third of the seats for women in the village dministrative units called Panachayats have enabled young people and young women to influence the decision making process in the country. Youth participation in the decision making bodies has been considerably enhanced by these decisions. It has been rightly recognized that access to education and training has to be augmented so that youth can develop their competencies. The National Policy of Education(NPE) 1986, has provided for designing both formal and non-formal education programmes involving youth. Our literacy rate has increased to 52. 91 percent in 1991. Today, 94 percent of the rural habitations have school facHities. Gross enrolment ratio at the primary stage has also increased to 100 percent in most of the states. Now we have a goal of Education for All by 2000 A. D. To achieve, this goal, vigorous efforts are being made. The education system is periodically evaluated and curricula updated in accordance with the advancements in Science and Technology. Efforts are also made to make the education relevant to the market needs and economic demands without compromising on the ethical and moral values of education. In the employment sector, the thrust is on providing opportunities for self employment, entrepreneurship development and skill training. Prime Ministers RoJgar YoJana, Jawhar RoJgar YoJana, etc. , have been introduced wherein minimum employment and wage earning opportunities are provided for poor yquth in the rural areas. The initiatives have been further strengthened with the promotion and development of Small Scale Industries. 16 million persons were employed in the small scale sector in 1996-97. An important scheme called, Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment(TRYSEM) is being implemented. Young women re provided training in skills and encouraged to form thrift and micro credit groups. To provide access to information on education, employment and other services, dissemination of information is accorded high priority. Employment guidance and counseling centres have been functioning in the country. Human rights education and awareness on gender equity are being carried out through youth organizations. A National Commission for Women was set up by the Government of India and a National Human Rights Commission had also been set up to advise on the policies and programmes. Young people are involved in health services. India has a well designed health prograrnmes. Young people are involved in creating awareness on health issues, more particularly on drug abuse, HIWAII DS etc. Primary Health Centres and Village Health Guides provide basic health care facilities to the youth. To prevent drug abuse by young people, Government of India has adopted the strategy of supply control and demand reduction of drugs through stringent enforcement of Anti Narcotic Laws, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and involvement of community and youth in the process. Every generation needs a new revolution. † Thomas Jefferson The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation. Pearl S. Buck Empowerment can mean many different things. To families on Supernanny, empowerment is learning to use the tools that stabilize their homes. To oppressed women in foreign lands, empowerment is embracing an opportunity to make a choice or participate in government. To youth, empowerment is knowing someones listening to their ideas and recognizing them as valuable members of society. Whether were mayors, teachers, neighbors or parents, we all ave roles to play in empowering youth. We do it † or dont do it- in most interactions we have with young people. On Pass the Torch, I write frequently about how young people take initiative and accomplish outstanding things (case in point- Heather Wilder † you can still vote for her through July 25. ) There are countless examples of youth doing great things, raising money for charity, or making connections for those who cant. But empowering youth is also the small, daily opportunities adults have with young people, to ask their opinions, listen to their ideas, teach them new skills or even follow their lead. Each interaction like this helps kids to find their own voices, to fgure out their strengths, and to pursue what inspires them. In the course of writing the book, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things, I had the opportunity to interview dozens of inspiring people. One of the most memorable quotes for me, was shared by Julia Hampton, United Way Youth Initiative Coordinator: Empowerment is having confidence because someone has spoken it into you. Its the track coach that gives the helps his son prepare to confront a friend by role-playing the conversation. Its the teacher that notices a students strength in writing and encourages her to submit an essay. Its the business owner that says yes to the kid who asks to place a food drive box in the entry. Its the neighbor that sends her kids to a neighborhood book club to support the 11-year-old whos organizing it. Its every day seeing children, Just as we see adults. Its recognizing their lack of experience or education doesnt mean their input isnt valid. And its a willingness to concede that every once in a while their insight is better than our own.