Youth Engagement for Sustainable Future: Educational and Leadership Outcomes of Students Empowerment Programs in Chitral

Abstract

Youth engagement and development is recognized as a critical driver of sustainable development across the globe. This study aims to explore the outcomes of of youth engagement activities in promoting youth education, empowerment, leadership skills, and sustainable development in Chitral. Using a quantitative research approach, this study assesses how participation in the activities of Youth Empowerment Club (YEC) influences the academic motivation, civic responsibilities, leadership qualities, intellectual competencies, and awareness of students for sustainable practices. The study respondents were selected from the executive body, general body and volunteers of the Youth Empowerment Club (YEC), University of Chitral, while using simple random sampling technique. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The sample size was 124 which was determined using Slovin’s formula (at 5% margin of error) from a total of 180 YEC members.  Respondents were then selected from each department (treating each department as stratum) using proportionate stratified sampling technique keeping in view their proportion in the total membership. Respondents from each stratum were selected using simple random sampling technique to ensure equal probability of inclusion for each member.          

               n = ______180____      =  ____180_____    = ___180___  = ____180_    ≈ 124

                            1+180 (0.05²)             1+180(0.0025)            1+0.45            1.45

Data were processed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for descriptive statistics. The findings indicate that a significant portion of respondents reported positive perceptions about youth engagement activities under the YEC platform. For instance, a significant percentage of respondents reported perceived enhancement of their confidence, leadership skills, teamwork abilities, academic performance, environmental awareness, social responsibilities and commitment towards community development activities under the activities of Youth Empowerment Club of the University of Chitral.