YDEV 501 - SJYD Framework

 "Given the social, ecological, and political challenges that face our world today, the next generation cannot wait until they are adults to begin the work of building a more humane and sustainable world." (Ginwright and James)

     The above quote is one that really called to me. I think that it is painfully true - youth cannot afford to wait for change, they need to be agents of it now. Our future survival as a society depends on it. I think that youth are uniquely in positions where they often hold a great deal of hope and passion that many adults (especially those in power) greatly lack when making policy or planning for the future. The writers of these articles describe how the SJYD framework puts youth at the center of the solution instead of the problem. This framework creates programs in which youth are challenged to explore their own identities, identify problems in the societal systems and people of power that effect them, and organize to be heard and make change. It allows youth to find confidence and pride within themselves and their communities and to be empowered to make positive change. It sheds a light on the democratic process through education and practice. "In fact, the capacity for individuals to challenge, resist, and change the root cause of their suffering is at the core of any democratic process" (Ginwright and James). To me, SJYD means involving youth in the creation and prolonging of the groups and spaces they are a part of. It means taking a step back as an adult and allowing youth to take leadership and problem-solving roles. I think that this approach to youth development creates a population of youth that thinks critically about the systems they are a part of and work actively to better those systems for all.