The experts discussed questions from the online audience on a range of topics concerning PYD including:

• Youth are very diverse. What tools or methods do community-based programs use to engage youth demographics, inclusive of gender, education, religion, and life-stage, in agriculturally-focused work?
• How should key stakeholders be engaged to create a positive youth development program?
• What types of training or extension services are most effective for creating sustainable community based youth programs?
• How are positive youth development programs different or new compared to other community-based programs used to provide agricultural and life skills to youth?

Click here to read the transcript of the chat!

The form of the training was a key issue for potential users. Mendum said, “The fact that our modules can be downloaded and used on paper for use in areas where there is no electricity or Internet access was surprisingly important.  I had the opportunity to download materials for one participant and it was clear that others intended to use our materials in that way.”

This is an important lesson for InnovATE and other international development projects. Mendum said, “In the future it would be useful to think about a scaffolding approach where we offer a high tech Internet ready version, a downloadable Power Point version  as we do now, and then perhaps a downloadable version designed for use as a physical, paper object.  One might even like to think about working with literacy education experts to create non-electric, non-English or even pictorial materials for use in some contexts.”

Additionally, Mendum reported, “For all kinds of reasons the request was made that advanced training happen in-country or regionally rather than requiring that one travel to the US.  Several participants mentioned that both the time required for travel from remote areas and the financial burden of both travel and visas made this conference [in Zambia] uniquely accessible.”

Mendum also took away an important lesson about international collaboration on gender training. She said, “Beyond the pragmatic issues, gender training is a sensitive cultural topic.  I spent most of the three days I was in Lusaka, talking to everyone I could reach about their needs and desires for non-controversial, culturally inclusive gender training.  In my view, at this particular place and time in history, it is important for US citizens to take the time to travel to their collaborators and learn and create together in non-US spaces.”