- 02081588500
- info@aoym.com
Menu
Menu
Youth mentoring in Practice varies across countries, with each facing unique developments and challenges. By learning from the experiences leveraging best practices, the global community can work towards building a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable approach to youth mentoring.
Youth mentoring in practice has seen significant developments and encountered various issues across the globe, with several standout countries leading the way in shaping the field. While the Global South have made progress in youth mentoring, they continue to face significant challenges related to education, poverty, inequality, and access to opportunities. The Assoiation of Youth Mentor is here to address these issues and requires provide approaches that prioritise investment in education, youth empowerment, and inclusive development strategies in alignment with 2030 UN Vision and Goals.
Australia has seen significant growth in youth mentoring, with programs like The Smith Family’s Learning for Life and state-based initiatives such as The Reach Foundation. Developments include a focus on outcomes measurement and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of mentoring interventions. Challenges include addressing the needs of diverse populations, including Indigenous youth and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and ensuring sustainability in the face of funding constraints
Development: Bangladesh has made strides in youth mentoring through initiatives like BRAC’s Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) program and Plan International’s Youth Empowerment through Employment (YETE) project, which focus on building life skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership among young people.
Issues: Challenges include poverty, child labor, and limited access to quality education, which hinder the effectiveness of youth mentoring efforts. Additionally, natural disasters and climate change pose additional obstacles to youth development in Bangladesh.
Development: Brazil has witnessed the growth of mentoring initiatives like Projeto Uerê and Instituto da Criança, which focus on providing mentorship and support to at-risk youth in urban areas, particularly those affected by poverty, violence, and substance abuse.
Issues: Challenges include addressing systemic inequalities, such as racial discrimination and income disparities, as well as ensuring the sustainability and scalability of mentoring programs in resource-constrained environments.
Canada boasts diverse mentoring programs, including school-based initiatives like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and community-based programs like Boys and Girls Clubs. Recent developments involve leveraging technology for virtual mentoring and expanding mentoring opportunities for Indigenous youth through culturally sensitive approaches. Challenges include the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders and addressing barriers to youth engagement in remote and rural areas.
Development: In India, organisations like Pratham’s Read India program and Teach for India have implemented mentoring components to improve educational outcomes for underprivileged youth. These initiatives focus on providing academic support, career guidance, and life skills training.
Issues: Challenges include limited access to quality education and mentoring opportunities in rural areas, as well as socioeconomic disparities that hinder youth from marginalised communities from benefiting fully from mentoring interventions.
Development: Kenya has seen the emergence of youth mentoring programs like the Young Women Christian Association’s (YWCA) mentorship program and the Kenya Mentorship Program (KMP), aimed at empowering young people through mentorship and skills development.
Issues: Despite progress, issues such as high youth unemployment rates, limited access to education and vocational training, and gender inequalities pose significant challenges to effective youth mentoring efforts in Kenya.
Development: In Nigeria, organisations like the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) and the Slum2School Africa initiative have implemented mentoring programs aimed at empowering disadvantaged youth through education, health, and leadership development.
Issues: Challenges include political instability, insecurity, and corruption, which can undermine efforts to implement effective youth mentoring programs. Additionally, cultural norms and gender stereotypes may limit access to mentoring opportunities for girls and young women.
Development: Pakistan has seen the emergence of mentoring initiatives like the Akhuwat Foundation’s Youth Development Program and the Network of Organizations Working with People with Disabilities, which provide mentorship and support to marginalised youth, including those with disabilities.
Issues: Challenges include limited access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities, as well as social and cultural barriers that restrict the participation of girls and young women in mentoring programs.
The United States has a long history of youth mentoring, with extensive research and well-established programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Recent developments include a focus on evidence-based practices, such as the National Mentoring Resource Center’s efforts to disseminate research and support program implementation. However, challenges persist, including the need for more funding and resources to meet the demand for mentoring services, particularly in underserved communities.
In the UK, youth mentoring has gained prominence through initiatives like The Prince’s Trust and the National Youth Agency’s mentoring programs. Developments include a growing emphasis on quality assurance and professionalisation, with organisations like the National Youth Mentoring Network providing training and accreditation for mentors. Challenges include addressing disparities in access to mentoring, particularly for marginalised youth, and ensuring sustainability amid funding uncertainties.