On-Demand Youth Leadership Program: Climate Change 2023

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (ODYLP) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by Legacy International.  In March 2023 and April/May 2023, forty youth participants (ages 15-18) and adult mentors engaged in two separate programs focused on clean energy, climate adaptation, and climate resilience.  Participants from Bostwana, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and the United States gained insights and skills to address climate issues.

The world needs:

  • strong youth leaders who can make a difference
  • those with leadership skills to identify and seek solutions to environmental issues locally, regionally, and globally
  • young innovators who can apply clean energy technologies to combat the climate crisis
  • young leaders ready to implement adaptation methods and build community resilience

Program Details:

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program is designed so the U.S. Department of State can respond quickly to evolving priorities and support U.S. embassies worldwide to meet mission-specific goals stemming from changing or emerging local conditions. The Spring 2023 programs specifically focused on climate change and the critical role youths play in addressing pressing issues.

ODYLP promotes mutual understanding between the people of the U. S. and other countries, prepares youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities, and fosters relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups.

Youth leaders and adult mentors are competitively selected to participate in the program.

ODYLP Clean Energy - March 2023:  Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and USA

Legacy International, in partnership with World Affairs Council Seattle, designed a three-week program on the theme of Clean Energy. The program involved homestays, site visits, service projects, and leadership workshops.

"This is a leadership program that expands your view of the world and the way you think. Through engagement with different people, you find new and innovative ways to solve most if not all the environmental challenges that the world is currently facing. A great program to network with other people and get to know of different cultures in outside your own.”  Kenyan participant

 

ODYLP Climate Adaptation and Resiliency - April 2023: Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and USA

Exploring Pensacola, Florida, through our partnership with Gulf Coast Diplomacy, the participants focused on the effects of climate change and how to adapt and protect natural habitats, communities, and more. The program involved homestays, site visits, service projects, and leadership workshops.

Washington DC Capstone:

Both programs finished up in the nation's capital with meetings at the U.S. Department of State as well as conversations with leaders at FEMA, Peace Corps, and C2ES.    Participants leave this experience feeling confident they can be global change-makers.

Community-Based Projects:

Following the U.S. experience, participants applied skills to design and deliver a community-based project to help alleviate the effects of climate change. (e.g., a peer education workshop or environmental service project).

US Flag and department of state seal

Legacy International Programs: