USAID 2022 International Youth Digital Leadership Council

The International Youth Digital Leadership Council or “Digital Youth Council” is a 12-member council of young leaders between the ages of 16 and 24 who are working on issues related to digital platforms and safety, and who are interested in reducing digital harm for children and youth. The Digital Youth Council will positively incorporate youth voices and strengthen the capacity of youth participants to both (1) allow USAID to get reactions and creative ideas towards successfully fulfilling the goals of its Digital Strategy, and (2) strengthen the next generation of digital changemakers and advocates.  In the Spring of 2021, the Digital Youth Council selected the first cohort of young changemakers from Bolivia, Cameroon, Georgia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. The Council kicked off monthly member meetings with USAID. Their work aimed to reduce digital harm for children and youth and to provide USAID with a better, youth-informed understanding of how children and youth want to interact with digital assets. The Council also forms part of USAID’s new Global LEAD initiative to support one million young changemakers around the world with increased civic engagement and leadership opportunities.   USAID is recruiting for a second Digital Youth Council to begin in 2023. The second council will include one graduate of the first Digital Youth Council who will serve as a guide and mentor to new members in 2023. Council Members are expected to start in February 2023 and serve for eleven months.