PROGRAM EVALUATION: FY-2005 MRP: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP II"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 004818

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/M (MBENSON, AZAKI),INFO ECA/PE/V/R/W (EWILKES-
SCOTT, DKEFFER),INFO WHA/PDA (SLEBENS),WHA/AND (JMONSERRATE)
NEW YORK FOR ECA/PE/V/C/N (DSHIRREFFS)

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO PE
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION: FY-2005 MRP: "YOUTH LEADERSHIP II"
{E/VM-2005-0037}(August 11-September 1, 2005) PERUVIAN IV
Marithza ALDAZABAL


1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY: IV Marithza ALDAZABAL
participated in subject program to examine how young U.S.
citizens acquire leadership skills to improve their communities
and influence public policy at their local, national, and
international levels; explore youth education and training to
learn how young people are inspired to become responsible
participants in civil society; and learn about the roles of
schools, civic organizations, and community groups in promoting
youth development and leadership.


2. DATE, FISCAL YEAR AND QUARTER: August 11-September 1, 2005, FY-
2005; Fourth Quarter.


3. MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN THEME: Public Diplomacy.


4. RESULT/IMPACT: Very Positive. The program was very interesting
for the participants, because it permitted them to be aware of
different social programs in the U.S. Ms. Aldazabal admired the
importance and involvement of the community within the urban and
rural development, especially among people with basic education
in contrast to those with higher education. That said, it is
vital to encourage leadership among all the different members of
the community.


5. AUDIENCE REACHED: Twenty colleagues from different countries
of the world, such as Thailand, Tanzania, Sweden, Singapore,
Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, etc. This program was focused on
reaching young people who are involved in different community
programs, and professionals that handle and manage youth programs
(psychologists, professors, sociologists, doctors, etc.) The
scope for professionals was to analyze the strategies applied for
programs to the extent they could be applied to the diversity of
realities of each participant's country.


6. OFFICER ESCORTS AND COORDINATORS: IV Aldazabal praised the
Escorts who accompanied the group, Rebeca Brezenoff, Loonie
Hilliard and Barry Lewis, for their professionalism and knowledge
of the theme, their positive attitude and social sensibility. IV
also mentioned "they were very responsible in their work."
During the whole program, the group felt safe and protected. At
the end of the program, the participants organized an informal
gathering to thank E/I for all their support.


7. QUALITY OF SUPPORT FROM ECA: Program was funded with FY-05 IV
allocation. At Lima Post, IV Aldazabal received a good
orientation on her program, and she wants to thank the FSNs who
courteously briefed her. She also commented on the constant help
received from Margery Benson, project coordinator, and Sanda Chao
of the Academy for Educational Development.


8. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:
-- The variety of cultures and diversity among participants, and
the desire to willingly share their expertise.
-- All participants formed an easy-going integrated group.
-- The different strategies used to support communities.
-- The conscious group participation to resolve conflicts in
social problems, and help young citizens towards improvement of
their quality of life.
-- The host-families' hospitality was wonderful; participants
were all integrated into their activities as if they were part of
the family.
-- Themes related to children and young people at-risk were also
enlightening.


9. LONG-TERM RESULTS:
IV Aldazabal recommends and praises the appointments with:
-- Paula Allen, from United Way of Central Indiana, Indianapolis,
who caught Ms. Aldazabal's attention for the diverse initiatives
that this organization has done to increase youth leadership. The
fact that they include young people in their board of directors
is an uncommon strategy in Peru. IV Aldazabal was impressed by a
16-year-old teenager's maturity, intelligence and verbal
communication skill while talking with the group about his active
collaboration. These experiences would be of great help for
Peruvian organizations that guide youngsters.
-- Angela Moody, from Arrowhead Ranch, Illinois, which is a
rehabilitation center for young men, where ways of developing and
helping their own families are taught, especially when young
people violate the Law. Ms. Aldazabal was pleased to see how the
rehabilitation program changes their lives. She believes that
this type of experience would be of great help and could be
shared with institutions and Peruvian government representatives.
-- Meter Twitchell, Youth Build Boston, an excellent program that
helps young people take responsibility in their community through
cooperative learning. The participants had the chance to listen
to live testimonies of young people and were surprised by their
initiatives and advocacy. Any Peruvian organization working with
young and/or at-risk people would be interested to learn about
these experiences, and Ms. Aldazabal is planning to share her
views.
-- Rebecca Hare, Washington, Youth with Disabilities and
Employment. Peruvian centers assisting disadvantaged people would
like to focus on the education labor empowerment. They can share
all the challenges that this U.S. organization and U.S. people
have faced, and the good results of their strategies.
-- IV Aldazabal is convinced that on future workshops with
Discovery Channel Global Education Program she will mention
related social-educational programs. Ms. Aldazabal is interested
in following programs that could help the development of the
community and how to incentive Peruvian young leaders around the
world. This program has been very useful for her and has also
given her ideas to improve her program in Peru.


10. COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS:
-- Hotels were comfortable and well located.
-- For most participants, U.S. traditions are different, but the
fact of getting acquainted with these ways of living allowed them
to understand other points of view. Participants were also
surprised to see air-conditioning in all buildings, beverages
with ice, fast food, canned food very accessible and common to
all U.S. citizens. These thoughts encouraged IV participants to
share their traditions and their own ways of living.
-- IV Aldazabal shared her opinions with the other participants,
and they agreed that in future similar programs should have more
focused themes on youth leadership rather than broader social
work issues.
-- IV Aldazabal appreciated being able to participate in this
excellent program.

Suggestions:
-- Supplementary personal interaction with young people, to
discuss and learn more about their experiences. IV Aldazabal
would suggest that this program take place when youngsters are in
school, because most of the students were on vacation.
-- More hands-on workshops instead of meetings because it is much
easier to interact with other members than just sit as mere
listeners.
-- More contact with Native American families and young people.
Participants met the Santa Fe, New Mexico, Native Americans and
they found them "mystic". Unfortunately, they missed the
experience of direct contact with native communities in their own
settings to see how natives face youth leadership.
-- The intercultural factor among participants, being a group of
different nationalities, is another learning experience, besides
learning more about the U.S. IV Aldazabal thinks that this
program could be more profitable if the participants receive
information on each other before the program starts. Also, if
possible, participants should receive ahead of time information
on each organization the group will visit, so that IV
participants could Google their web pages and prepare information
related to their country's experiences.

STRUBLE