Making Cents Conference: How is Technology Causing Breakthroughs in Youth Economic Opportunity?

Guest blogger Katie Appel of Plan International USA shares highlights from the Making Cents Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference.

The Thursday morning plenary session at the Making Cents Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference was moderated by Wayan Vota, Senior Director of Inveneo, and featured: 

• Jacob Korenblum, Co-Founder and President of Souktel Inc.
• Peter Broffman, Manager of Informal Education, Corporate Affairs Group at Intel Corporation
• David Mukaru, Head of Sector-Microcredit at Kenya’s Equity Bank
• Leah Gardiner, Fundraising Advisor of TakingITGlobal

In alignment with the conference’s theme, “Breakthroughs in Youth Economic Opportunities,” the panelists jumped right into the session with their thoughts on the most exciting technology-related breakthroughs in the field. Wayan Vota (Inveneo) set the tone for the panel by describing how, unlike in other realms of society, youth are viewed as thought-leaders and “valued experts” of the constantly evolving technological landscape. Adults frequently trust youth knowledge and proficiency in technology and social media. Youth should be empowered to use this position as an “advantage for business innovation.” Jacob Korenblum (Souktel Inc.) accounted for the recent paradigm shift in delivery mechanisms, of both services and information, and how youth are leading that movement. And while we all know about the internet’s ability to help organize youth—as we’ve seen this past year with the Arab Spring—Peter Broffman (Intel ) reminded the audience of the opportunities the internet affords an individual in terms of self-empowerment through access to research, tools, and global markets.

While technology provides great mechanisms for sharing and inciting change, barriers still remain for youth to use technology to its full capacity. The panelists related how many of these barriers come from us— the adults. Not only do youth sometimes lack the emotional or professional maturity needed to succeed in the business world, but Peter challenged that adults need to adopt a new view of youth capacity. Beyond these attitudinal obstacles, David Mukaru (Kenya’s Equity Bank) spoke of the very basic reality that Kenya, like much of the world, still lacks reliable electricity, let alone access to the internet. Leah Gardiner (TakingITGlobal) summed up these barriers by voicing the need to both empower youth and create a receptive environment, thereby guiding their “online ideas into the offline world.” The challenge turns to us— how do we help youth to successfully accomplish such a transition?

With input from the audience, the panelists further explored how to support youth’s utilization of technology for their own economic empowerment. Wayan used Leah’s term of “rural inclusion” when sharing ways of connecting people in remote Sub-Saharan Africa to the internet through solar-powered computers and wi-fi dishes. Once a connection is secured, Jacob contended that jobs would be created as youth can work remotely, take advantage of markets in other time zones, and have wider access to job postings. David also described how mobile banking services can reduce personal costs, which may have prevented youth from accessing financial services before. Shockingly, 20 percent of Kenya’s GDP passes though mobile technology, which demonstrates the incredible power and scale that technology can provide when harnessed effectively.

Unfortunately, though, the entire youth population is not using these services equally. Beyond technical capabilities, gender inequality creates yet another barrier. On the issue of the “girl gap,” the panelists emphasized the importance of having safe spaces where girls can use technology, whether in an internet cafe or in their own home. Wayan explained how a solution as simple as facing computer screens outward at a public cafe can create a more comfortable space by using the “human eye as the best police.” While barriers to access may remain, Leah discussed how technology can provide girls with new opportunities as “creators,” together with their male counterparts.

Youth are ready to partner with us on technology innovation and economic empowerment, yet are we ready and able to hear them? All of the panelists described mechanisms in their own organizations used to communicate with youth, garnering their feedback on effective services and remaining needs. Whether it includes Skype calls, toll-free hotlines, advisory committees, or online social networks, youth look to actively participate in decisions that affect them. Not only do we need to create appropriate avenues for youth communication, but we too need to take their ideas “offline” and have their suggestions actually inform the services we provide. We need youth to lead us in the pursuit of appropriate technological responses to their economic needs, and only then can they be fully empowered.

*This post reflects my own opinions, and not necessarily those of Plan International or Plan International USA.