While gains have been achieved in including the youth in the development agenda, our models for inclusion have largely remained the same. For the longest time, youth inclusion and participation meant institutionalizing policies and developing programs that address structural hindrances to youth development. As we continue our efforts in youth development, we must be able to also embrace innovation so we can reexamine our current mechanisms and programs for the youth. We must also harness existing mechanisms for youth participation and leadership development. Finding the balance between traditional objectives in development and changing needs and methods of participation and inclusion is a crucial task we must accept.

Source: Manila Times October 31, 2017 16:07 UTC