Cover STORY
Cover STORY
Summer 2018 / Issue 58
Innovations in Education for Employability through Partnerships in Corporate Social Responsibility
Innovation in Youth Work
In the field of youth work and non-formal education , innovation is key . Youth are looking for projects that give them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves . The Young Men ’ s Leadership Project ( YMLP ) and Girls Leading Our World ( GLOW ) in Macedonia are youth development programs which focus on youth development through experiential learning , facilitated workshops , and outdoor teambuilding challenges .
GLOW and YMLP deliver concurrent and complementary programming to our campers in a range of ways . First through facilitated workshops , delivered by local and international volunteers on core curriculum topics - environmentalism , personal development , leadership , civic responsibility , and youth employability . Classes are given every day , built upon classes from previous days , providing campers with a broad-base knowledge and skills to continue exploring new concepts on their own . Second , content on teambuilding and
Author : Dana Kayser , Operations Director / Peace Corps Volunteer , YMCA Bitola self-reflection is implemented through community-based challenges and outdoor engagement . Teams are mentored by an experienced and trained staff person who facilitates group challenges - both physical and self-reflective - enabling campers to practice leadership , teamwork , communication , and awareness . Campers work in teams with their mentor throughout the week and outside of class time in order to develop interpersonal skills . Finally , multiple special events are provided throughout the week which act as capstone projects and cultural exchanges . For example , field day and elective courses provide campers an opportunity to experience the traditions of a typical American Summer Camp , while special events like a camp-wide service project , a project design simulation , and the new Youth Employability Fair , allow campers to practice the skills developed throughout the week in their core curriculum classes .
The Business Sector as a Valuable Resource All of these different aspects of programming are provided thanks to two distinct groups of contributors . Socially responsible individuals work as volunteer staff , both American Peace Corps Volunteers and domestic volunteers from Macedonia , who contribute their time and experience in creating content for GLOW and YMLP Camps and Clubs . The effect of the volunteers are amplified by the contributions of corporate sponsors - socially responsible companies - that contribute resources , both financial and in-kind , making the program possible to organize .
12 AmCham Macedonia Magazine