RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN YOUTH-LED ORGANIZATIONS, DONORS, AND NGOS: Recap of Connecting Conversations Theme 5, Session 4

Mariana Reyes, president of ¿Y yo, por qué no?, emphasized the importance of inclusive language that is easily understood and not stigmatizing to the groups it hopes to reach. She stated that inclusive language opens up the conversation and amplifies the message, giving a sense of belonging to everyone addressed and creating trust. Ana Aguilera, deputy director of AYSRHR at EngenderHealth, discussed the ways language can convey intention and illustrate where people are coming from in terms of background, understanding, and organizational interests. She provided the example of the Flower of Youth Participation, a framing technique that uses inclusive and youth-friendly language to describe what constitutes meaningful youth engagement. Michael McCabe, agency youth coordinator at USAID, spoke about the necessity of learning the language of the community that an organization is working in, including cultural sensitivity and awareness of how language functions in certain contexts. He emphasized the importance of teaching youth and adolescents the technical terminology that would allow them to excel in navigating complex bureaucratic organizations. The values that organizations have that are critical to effectively implementing youth participation and engagement within organizations include reflection, respect, and inclusion. Reflection involves questioning and challenging traditional methods and ideologies, making efforts to engage in ongoing learning, and using insights to adapt organizational practices. Respect involves recognizing the viewpoints and lived experiences of young people as important as those of individuals who are considered experts in the field. Inclusion involves engaging young people who might not typically be recruited to participate in youth-led organizations or initiatives. Organizations need to align their work with the "triangle of success," a framework that centers on a robust budget, adequate staffing, and tailored strategy. Strong guiding policies are also necessary, such as USAID's current overhaul of its youth engagement policy, which includes more accessible language, empowers collaboration, contains an accountability mechanism, and connects with young people. Several tools and initiatives aim to expand USAID's scope of partnership and engagement, including the Youth Programming Assessment Tool (YPAT), the Global LEAD Initiative, and the Youth Excel Initiative. These tools and initiatives support youth innovation using collaborative learning and technology, and provide organizations with the resources and guidance they need to effectively engage with young people. Incorporating novel methods of youth engagement, such as human-centered design, can be beneficial, but it is essential to avoid overlooking smaller, simpler ways of improving youth engagement. Mariana Reyes emphasized the importance of focusing on implementing changes at a macro level, rather than getting stuck on figuring out the "best" way to do something. By doing so, organizations can think more holistically about how to engage with young people and make meaningful changes to their programs and policies.