Developing Leadership Skills in Young People

The premier International Leadership Training (ILT) for the Africa Scout Region took place from 6th to 10th February 2018 in Lome, Togo. Adopted from the Interamerican Leadership Training (ILT), the training sought to transform young Scouts into quality and skilled individuals providing leadership at different levels of the community and contributing towards sustainable development.

The main objectives of the ILT training were: to quip the participants with knowledge and skills on Leadership, develop the competencies of the participants in Project Planning, prepare the participants to become better communicators and enhance the achievement of results through better collaborations and team dynamics.

The Expected Training Outcomes are, a pool of competent ILT alumni ready to play a proactive role in their communities and NSOs in inspiring positive transformation and social impact and a competent pool of young leaders ready to drive change through youth led interventions.

This training was attended by 34 participants aged between 18 to 26 years drawn from 9 NSOs in the West Africa Scout zone. It was facilitated by a team from the Africa Support Centre, youth leaders and an alumnus of the ILT 2018 held in Ecuador.

Raphael Dade from Niger says, "The International Leadership Training was an amazing experience for young people in the West Africa Scout zone. It has not only provided young people with transversal leadership skills, but also a practical framework for the implementation and personality growth. The results can already be seen through young people who are motivated than ever, networked, fulfilled, aware and who prove themselves at the service of Scouting and communities. The best is yet to come in inspiring and empowering youth to create a better world".

Another ILT participant, Emmanuella from Ghana had the following to say. "The ILT exposed me to the realization that every young person had the potential to be a leader and even greater one if we allowed ourselves to be empowered to identify what best suits each type of audience that one leads and knowing the values and objectives of those group dynamics. With several sessions covering leadership, values, vision, strategy and project planning, I am a much more productive leader than I was before. I can surely become better serving my friends and community. This was a great show of learning by doing."