Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth
Many young people in South Africa are in the process of transforming their country. To positively contribute to the development agenda, young people need the skills and capacity to bring about change and set themselves apart as leaders. This retrospective, mixed-method evaluation study provides insi...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2016-11-01
|
| Series: | African Evaluation Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/120 |
| _version_ | 1811300650579918848 |
|---|---|
| author | Cara E. Waller Philippa Wheaton Natasha Asbury |
| author_facet | Cara E. Waller Philippa Wheaton Natasha Asbury |
| author_sort | Cara E. Waller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many young people in South Africa are in the process of transforming their country. To positively contribute to the development agenda, young people need the skills and capacity to bring about change and set themselves apart as leaders. This retrospective, mixed-method evaluation study provides insight into the multi-level mechanisms that allow young South Africans opportunities to grow personally and to take action on issues of significance. Results show that development of three non-cognitive competencies (grit, growth mindset, and self-efficacy) was integral to starting (and finishing) a social action project. Social support, social capital and teamwork were also critical mechanisms – while school location, socioeconomic status and gender were not. Non-cognitive competency development is integral to this research as there is evidence that building these skills promotes leadership which creates a bias to action. This article reflects on the implications for effective youth development program design and the youth leadership sector more generally. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:55:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c08ef257ff4a4893a25556e4694614f9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-4988 2306-5133 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:55:22Z |
| publishDate | 2016-11-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Evaluation Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-c08ef257ff4a4893a25556e4694614f92022-12-22T02:57:17ZengAOSISAfrican Evaluation Journal2310-49882306-51332016-11-0141e1e1010.4102/aej.v4i1.12062Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youthCara E. Waller0Philippa Wheaton1Natasha Asbury2Enke: Make Your MarkEnke: Make Your MarkEnke: Make Your MarkMany young people in South Africa are in the process of transforming their country. To positively contribute to the development agenda, young people need the skills and capacity to bring about change and set themselves apart as leaders. This retrospective, mixed-method evaluation study provides insight into the multi-level mechanisms that allow young South Africans opportunities to grow personally and to take action on issues of significance. Results show that development of three non-cognitive competencies (grit, growth mindset, and self-efficacy) was integral to starting (and finishing) a social action project. Social support, social capital and teamwork were also critical mechanisms – while school location, socioeconomic status and gender were not. Non-cognitive competency development is integral to this research as there is evidence that building these skills promotes leadership which creates a bias to action. This article reflects on the implications for effective youth development program design and the youth leadership sector more generally.https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/120Youth Development |
| spellingShingle | Cara E. Waller Philippa Wheaton Natasha Asbury Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth African Evaluation Journal Youth Development |
| title | Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth |
| title_full | Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth |
| title_fullStr | Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth |
| title_short | Mechanisms for inspiring action in South African youth |
| title_sort | mechanisms for inspiring action in south african youth |
| topic | Youth Development |
| url | https://aejonline.org/index.php/aej/article/view/120 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT caraewaller mechanismsforinspiringactioninsouthafricanyouth AT philippawheaton mechanismsforinspiringactioninsouthafricanyouth AT natashaasbury mechanismsforinspiringactioninsouthafricanyouth |