Chapter 8: Creating Authentic Spaces for Youth: A Conversation About the Role of Youth Agency and Its Future

“Creating Authentic Spaces for Youth: A Conversation about the Role of Youth Agency & Its Future” is a thought-provoking dialogue, featuring prominent figures in the field of youth development and advocacy. In this exclusive Q&A session, Monique Miles, the Managing Director of the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, Angelica Portillo, the Director of Advocacy & Workforce Initiatives at the National Afterschool Association, and Byron Sanders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Thought, came together to discuss the pivotal role of youth agency in our society.

The conversation was driven by the recognition that the landscape of youth development and education has been evolving rapidly, with a shifting focus from traditional “soft skills” to what are now referred to as “21st Century Skills,” described as critical, durable, and workforce skills. The participants delved into the importance of nurturing these skills in young individuals and the emerging trends in this domain, examining the impact of youth agency in creating spaces that support their holistic development. This dialogue transcended the conventional perspective of education and youth development, touching upon a paradigm shift from the traditional “Carnegie Model” of education, where students were mere recipients of knowledge, to a more contemporary approach that emphasizes the role of young individuals in shaping their own learning experiences. The participants explored the concept of youth agency as a dynamic and transformative force in the education sector, highlighting the need for more inclusive, self-guided, and self-directed learning environments.