In this edition, Creative Times focuses on Youth. Advocating for children and the young is at the core of Creative’s mission and values. We focus on creating positive change be it through developing quality education, or helping former gang members rejoin society, addressing human trafficking, or enabling ex-combatants and other young people to rebuild lives devastated by conflict.

Many societies define “youth” as covering those from age 15 to 24. Some, such as in Kenya and Pakistan, extend this to 35 or 40 years. Whatever the parameter, societies suffer escalating consequences when the young are affected by conflict, high rates of unemployment, crime, and a lack of access to education and opportunity.

Today, the explosion in the numbers of youth across the world is at the highest levels ever in human history. The challenges posed by this population bulge also represent an opportunity for policymakers and development practitioners to bring our collective best practices and thinking to bear.

This edition of Creative Times brings you perspectives, thoughts and experiences of development professionals and local partners on working with youth.

Peace,

M. Charito Kruvant
President and CEO