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| ABOUT YCI |
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Our Mission:
Building Communities and Leaders through Global Youth Development |
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Our Vision:
Youth Innovation Drives Positive Change |
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Our Values:
Youth Development:
Principles of YCI’s youth development programming include providing opportunities for youth to develop their skills while addressing key areas of primary importance to the development of their communities and world. YCI believes in achieving results through a participatory approach to development. By involving local youth directly in programs, YCI is able to achieve sustainable youth development results in priority sectors— leadership development, environment, economic development, health and education, which will benefit youth and the broader community. YCI will continue to build on a rich history of community development programming, ensuring that all future programs incorporate clearly defined youth development results. Young people will be the co-owners of YCI programs, either through volunteerism or by participating in the design and implementation of programs in their communities. Furthermore, YCI’s youth development programming will aim to reduce poverty within our target youth populations and the broader community.
Volunteerism:
Volunteerism, the willingness of people to work on behalf of others without the motivation of financial gain, is a central tenet of YCI’s programming. YCI cannot achieve its youth development vision without the commitment, energy or capacity of volunteers. The pace in which we achieve results and the type of programming we implement can be attributed largely to the meaningful contributions of volunteers. However, our model of volunteerism is much broader than the simple service of volunteers. We recognize and foster the reciprocal nature of volunteering – that the individual who volunteers is changed by the experience and subsequently, as an organization we have a responsibility to support and foster learning and skill development. YCI will engage youth, individual, and professional volunteers, as well as groups who are looking to volunteer together. YCI will be a leader in volunteer programming, providing a broad range of opportunities to committed and talented individuals who can make a difference in youth development.
Partnership:
Partnerships, whether strategic, technical or operational are key vehicles through which YCI advances its work. All partnerships, including those with civil society, government and the private sector, are central to creating the conditions and structural support needed for effective youth-centered change and development. Furthermore, this approach allows us to leverage donor funds more efficiently and advance our areas of expertise. YCI will take tangible steps to advance the quality and capacity of existing partnership programs, and identify new partners to grow our programs, markets and expertise.
Equity:
At YCI, we strive to be an equitable and inclusive organization, rich with diversity, protecting human rights based upon understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of every person. Through our partners, volunteers and staff, YCI is committed to reducing inequality based on gender, race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability. Our support for equity is grounded in an organization-wide commitment to achieving an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. In striving to become an equity-focused organization, we will also work to eliminate, reduce or mitigate the adverse effects of any barriers to full participation in YCI programs. YCI will develop a working policy to promote equitable access to community and development resources through our programs. This policy will apply to our volunteers, our staff and our partners, both in terms of structures and programs.
Advocacy:
Advocacy involves gaining and exercising power to influence a political action. YCI is committed to influencing public policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic and social institutions as they relate to international youth development and more specifically focusing on— leadership development, environment, economic development, health and education. By carrying out workshops and training on human rights, women’s rights, advocacy and leadership, YCI is helping youth acquire knowledge about their rights and freedoms so that they become informed citizens. We recognize that for our advocacy campaigns to be successful we must conduct thorough and accurate research and tap into demonstrated public support. Further alliances are essential for leveraging support and expertise. YCI will develop an advocacy policy to improve opportunities for youth to assume leadership roles within their communities and utilize governance structures to ensure their voices are heard. |
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Our Mission
