Youth Development

• In Event: The Peace Corps: 53 years of human centered grassroots development

Abstract

Youth Development
Engaging and supporting youth lies at the core of all Peace Corps programs. Roughly 75 percent of Peace Corps beneficiaries are under age 25. Peace Corps Volunteers in all sectors receive training to recognize young people as resources who can be mobilized to benefit their communities by applying three guiding principles for our work with youth: 1. Practice positive youth development; 2. Enhance youth participation; and 3. Practice asset-based community development.

The Peace Corp’s asset-based approach to youth development recognizes both the internal and external resources that young people can draw upon to address challenging issues. This approach builds resilient youth who are capable of avoiding risky behavior and rebounding from difficult situations. Volunteers are trained to work with young people as partners in problem-solving and not just as recipients of aid, helping them develop leadership skills and the capacity for youth to lead change in their communities. By working alongside community counterparts, Volunteers support young people to develop life skills, find or create employment, and improve their communities through volunteering and civic engagement. In addition to these programs, Volunteers strengthen existing youth programming by working with parents, local organizations, and the government to positively engage youth.

Author

• Karen Scheuerer, Peace Corps