Welcome to Season 2 of the Youth Partnership Podcast!

This premiere episode is hosted by Somila Mjekula, our Content & Communications lead. We take you behind the scenes at the YIELD Hub to meet our incredible team and explore what drives our mission.

Our Director, David Imbago, shares insights from key events like the ANSER 2024 Conference, the Commission on the Status of Women Panel, and our presentation at the Dutch Parliament. Our Associate, Dina Chaerani, reflects on recent Instagram collaborations for National Condom Month and International Women’s Day.

Richard, our Action Learning Lead, introduces the new Action Learning Cycle topics and explains their significance in the AYSRHR field. Plus, we unveil new resources to support your advocacy work.

Whether you're a long-time listener or tuning in for the first time, we're sure this episode has something new for you to learn.

In this episode of the Youth Partnership podcast, the YIELD Hub alongside Rutgers delves into the diverse range of topics within SRHR research, exploring the unique challenges young researchers face and the incredible solutions they propose. Further, we highlight the collaborative processes, results, and lessons from two young researchers from the Netherlands and Indonesia.

Through insightful interviews, expert discussions, and firsthand accounts, this episode highlights why we need to recognize young people as researchers in SRHR. By amplifying their voices and experiences, we aim to promote a paradigm shift in how we approach SRHR research, advocating for a more inclusive approach; one that is co-led with youth and that ultimately leads to more effective and equitable sexual and reproductive health outcomes for all.

In this episode, we delve into the unique challenges and pivotal questions surrounding the involvement of young people in Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR). It's a critical look at how age can sometimes limit engagement and the essential steps organizations need to take to ensure that youth leaders aren't just involved but are also equipped with mentorship and professional guidance. This guidance is crucial for their seamless transition into various professional roles within the AYSRHR ecosystem. We're exploring innovative ways stakeholders in AYSRHR can create support systems and processes to empower young people, not just as participants but as skilled professionals ready to take on impactful roles. Our discussion underscores the importance of broadening our understanding of youth participation – it's more than just treating young people as partners or leaders; it's about building a strong foundation of relevant skills and providing opportunities to apply them. Tune in as we dissect how equipping youth with these skills and opportunities enables them to "age up" into professional roles within the AYSRHR ecosystem, rather than aging out.