For Youth, By Youth: what it is and why it needs you

Hey there, it’s me, Harunah—one of those late bloomers when it comes to flying. Until 2022, I had never been on a plane, but that year, I took my very first flight to the U.S as an NGL colleague. And let me tell you… what a wild initiation it was!

NGL stands for the Next Generation Leaders program, an initiative of the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities dedicated to supporting young leaders in growing their leadership. 2021 was the year I joined the NGL family, a rare opportunity that promised inspiration, connection, and a whole lot of personal growth.

My very first flight was a trip to the United States, specifically, Dayton, Ohio. This was a culmination of several months working online as members of the NGL family. On my maiden voyage, I didn’t expect to spend a good chunk of it counting how many times a city such as Dayton could brand itself. Everything was Dayton. Dayton hoodies, Dayton mugs, Dayton sweatshirts, etc. Seriously—Dayton was Dayton-ing!

In 2023, we had another NGL convening, this time in Boston. We got plenty of time to visit other places as well. It was so inspiring to meet many colleagues with whom we had spent countless days meeting online.

So there I was again. Boston hoodies, Boston caps, Boston everything. Then we stepped into Harvard territory, and in a blink, it was as if the world had rebranded. Boston was out. Harvard was in. Harvard sweatshirts, Harvard water bottles, Harvard stickers. You could practically breathe in the Ivy League. Wow!

We loved these places. We wore them, carried them, drank coffee out of them. Amazing, right? But wait, something did click. This wasn’t just about branding.

This realisation stuck with me. Everywhere I went, I met people deeply invested in their communities. They didn’t just live there; they loved there. They cared enough to dream of something better—and actually do something about it. That’s when it hit me: the more you love your community, the more you fight for it. It’s love, not policy papers, that drives real change.

So, it is clear, love—is what drives change. The more you love your community, the more you feel responsible for it. The more you care, the more you act.

I was deeply inspired to think critically about local issues, communicate effectively across cultures, and—most importantly—take meaningful action. From that inspiration, we, as young leaders and NGL alumni, agreed that real change starts at home. And so, the birth of For Youth, By Youth—a movement with local roots and global impact.

We knew that to create change, we needed tools, resources, and a strong network. And now? We have the tools. We have the resources. We are the network. For Youth, By Youth is exactly whatit says—it’s for you. You, the one hungry for change. You, the one always ready to challenge the status quo. You, the one who refuses to settle.

And guess what? We need you. We love you. This movement is for you. Join us, and you’ll find yourself growing, making a tangible impact, and connecting with a network of young changemakers who, just like you, are ready to transform their communities.

As Maya Angelou said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”

Love,
Harunah