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Lead Tomorrow

Young people today are arguably more engaged in social and civic issues that affect their communities and countries than ever before. This week, Youth Will looks at youth civic engagement, how the global development community can empower young leaders, and how young people can be encouraged to take action.

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What young people need to lead

Around the world, countless young people are eager to shape their communities. But governance structures, poverty and a lack of education and employment can muffle these voices. Here's how to make a change.

3 ways to engage, empower and activate environmentally minded youth

With the right tools, young people can become the problem solvers who tackle challenges related to climate change and degraded natural resources. By Philippe Cousteau Jr., co-founder and president of EarthEcho International.

Want development impact? Engage youth to create leaders of tomorrow

Plan International CEO Nigel Chapman says what excites him most about his organization’s work is what Plan is doing to help nurture the future leaders of tomorrow. A #YouthWill interview by Devex Associate Editor Richard Jones.

4 ways #globaldev implementers can engage youth in civic activity

How can development professionals working with young people make sure young people’s voices are heard in their communities, particularly in poor or violent societies? Mercy Corps' senior adviser for youth development gives his tips on engaging young people in civic activity.

Never touch anything with half your heart

Ange Kagame isn't just Rwanda's "first daughter" — the budding philanthropist is part of a new generation of leaders ready to transform Africa. What's her vision for the continent's future? An interview by Rolf Rosenkranz.

The new rebels — from activism to policy entrepreneurship

Young people are often seen as passive beneficiaries rather than active leaders in global development. They could play a much more strategic role, writes Chemonics Director Enrique Betancourt in this exclusive commentary.

The future of chronic diseases through the eyes of youth

Young people are more at risk than ever of heart disease, obesity and other chronic diseases. Yet they're rarely engaged in health policy-making. Several advocacy groups are pushing to change that.

Investing in youth resilience

Building youth resilience and capacity is both a right and an imperative, write U.N.-Habitat's Doug Ragan and Ravi Karkara.

Youth involvement needs to mean something

Engaging young people in global development can be tough. Here's how to do it. A video interview with Nejeed Kassam, CEO of Networks for Change.

How foreign aid groups can engage young people

This year's winners of the Commonwealth Youth Award share their thoughts on how the international community can better engage young people in development campaigns.

How young people can influence post-2015 agenda

What can the young people do to influence the emerging post-2015 development framework? Ahmad Alhendawi, U.N. secretary-general's envoy on youth, explains. A video interview.

Arts in advocacy: How to touch minds and hearts for action and change

Inspiring change — whether in thinking or behavior — takes more than appealing to someone’s intellect, notes Women Deliver CEO Katja Iversen in this exclusive commentary.

What young people want from development implementers

How can young people be empowered to play a more active leadership role in community development? On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Youth Awards ceremony in London, young development leaders weigh in with their calls to action.

Youth lead the fight for peaceful elections in Nigeria

Nigeria goes to the polls March 28 to elect the nation's next president. With 63 percent of the population aged under 24, the youth vote is considered decisive. Devex spoke to one of the country's prominent youth leaders about what young people want from the elections and their role in keeping the peace.

3 ways to support youth as agents of change

International efforts too frequently see young people simply as beneficiaries and recipients. Commonwealth Secretariat's Youth Division Director Katherine Ellis calls for change and tells Devex how global development professionals put youth-led development at the heart of their work.

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