Local Youth Research Articles

Measured air quality impacts after teaching parents about cooking ventilation with a video: a pilot study.

Cooking-related emissions contribute to air pollutants in the home and may influence children's health outcomes. In this pilot study, we investigate the effects of a cooking ventilation intervention in homes with gas stoves, including a video-based educational intervention and range hood replacement (when needed) in children's homes. This was a pilot (n = 14), before-after trial (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT04464720) in homes in the San Francisco Bay Area that had a school-aged child, a gas stove, and either a venting range hood or over-the-range microwave/hood. Cooking events, ventilation use, and indoor air pollution were measured in homes for 2-4 weeks, and children completed respiratory assessments. Midway, families received this intervention: (1) education about the hazards of cooking-related pollutants and benefits of both switching to back burners and using the range hood whenever cooking and (2) ensuring the range hood met airflow and sound performance standards. The educational intervention was delivered via a video developed in conjunction with local youth. We found substantially increased use of back burners and slight increases in range hood use during cooking after intervening. Even though there was no change in cooking frequency or duration, these behavior changes resulted in decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), including significant decreases in the total integrated concentration of NO2 over all cooking events from 1230 ppb*min (IQR 336, 7861) to 756 (IQR 84.0, 4210; p < 0.05) and NO2 collected on samplers over the entire pre- and post-intervention intervals from 10.4 ppb (IQR 3.5, 47.5) to 9.4 (IQR 3.0, 36.1; p < 0.005). There were smaller changes in PM2.5, and no changes were seen in respiratory outcomes. This pilot before-after trial evaluated the use of a four-minute educational video to improve cooking ventilation in homes with gas stoves and one or more school-aged children. Participant behavior changed after watching the video, and there were decreases in indoor air pollutant concentrations in the home, some of which were significant. This brief video is now publicly available in English and Spanish (wspehsu.ucsf.edu/projects/indoor-air-quality), and this provides suggestive evidence of the utility of this simple intervention, which could be particularly beneficial for households that have children with asthma.

Exploring Tri Hita Karana-Based CSR: A Sustainable Approach to Village Community Empowerment

This study explored the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) based on Tri Hita Karana in supporting community empowerment in Klungkung village, Bali. The method employed was a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing data collection techniques such as interviews and documentation. The research informants included 10 purposively selected respondents, encompassing company representatives, village heads, and beneficiary communities to ensure relevant information. This study identified community participation and involvement in CSR programs focusing on education, health, and local economic improvement. Despite the positive impact, significant challenges remain, such as low community awareness and inadequate information about the CSR program of the company. By involving the community at every stage of planning and evaluation, the company can ensure the relevance and success of the program. The study emphasized the need for enhanced socialization, transparency, and two-way communication between the company and the community to overcome these obstacles. Involving local community leaders and youth in the socialization process is expected to improve community understanding and participation, fostering a more harmonious relationship. The results provided new insights into the dynamics between the company, village government, and community, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable community empowerment.

02 Youth perspectives on virtual healthcare appointments in Nova Scotia – a qualitative study

Abstract Background With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public safety measures required healthcare providers to look for alternative ways of delivering care in a safe and timely fashion. This led to an escalated use of virtual appointments to continue to provide patient care. For future decision-making regarding virtual care in our community, we must consider the youth perspective to ensure our healthcare delivery meets the needs of this patient population. Objectives Our study aims to determine the perspectives of local youth patients on their experience with virtual and in-person paediatric clinic appointments. Design/Methods Participants were recruited from general and subspecialty paediatrics clinics at the IWK Health Centre, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Eligibility criteria included attending both a virtual and in-person appointment from 2019-2022. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and provided their perspective on comfort level, accessibility, participation, and general preferences between virtual and in-person clinics. Transcribed data was analyzed using thematic analysis with both inductive and deductive approaches to identify themes. Results 12 participants aged 14-18 provided interviews. Participants represented clinical areas of general paediatrics, rheumatology, diabetes clinic and gender clinic. Virtual appointments were preferred for convenience, flexibility, and efficiency during shorter conversations. In-person appointments were preferred for physical concerns, communication and relationship building. Some youth appreciated talking face-to-face for the ease of communication, feeling able to “get the point across” in this setting. The value of the in-person connection with their healthcare team was expressed by some youth, and building this relationship held importance. When appointments provided education, youth preferred for that information to be delivered in-person. Participants overall felt more comfortable during virtual appointments, and participation levels varied based on the individual and not based on an appointment being virtual versus in-person. Accessibility issues were predominantly associated with in-person appointments, with barriers including access to transportation, time spent attending appointment, and the cost of travelling to a tertiary care centre. Conclusion Youth patients have unique and individual preferences for virtual versus in-person appointments. This study provided insight into situations when each appointment type should be considered and emphasizes the importance of including the youth in the decision-making process around appointment scheduling when possible.

Understanding the interactions that children and young people have with their natural and built environments: A survey to identify targets for active travel behaviour change in Wales.

Active travel offers many societal benefits, including improving people's mental and physical health and minimising our impacts on the environment. Increasing active travel is particularly important amongst children and young people (CYP), who are building habits which they will carry into adulthood. Studies on active travel amongst CYP are limited, however, with most research focusing on adult participants or on adult perceptions of children. This study sought to understand CYP's interactions with the built and natural environment-and therefore their access to active travel-through the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model. With a stakeholder group representing local government, youth organisations and active travel organisations, we co-created two bilingual questionnaires-one for young people aged 12-16 years living in Wales and the other for parents of young people aged 12-16 years living in Wales. Both questionnaires collected information on behaviour and perceived capability, opportunity and motivation of CYP to engage with their natural and built environments. The questionnaires included a discrete choice experiment (DCE), which proposed a series of binary choice questions indicating preferences based on landscape, journey time and type of travel. A total of 124 questionnaires (38 young people and 86 parents) were returned for analysis. These data indicate that CYP's time spent outdoors is not dependent upon geography (rural/urban/suburban), season, or school holidays. There was a significant difference in capability, opportunity and motivation between parents and CYP, with parents over-estimating the psychological capability of CYP to engage outdoors. The preference data indicate that active travel is the favoured mode of transport, with both CYP and parents stating that they would increase travel time in order to travel actively. While this response is not consistent with respondent's day-to-day travel choices, it suggests that the limitations to active travel may be psychological capability and automatic motivation, rather than a lack of opportunity.

The Urgency of Stakeholder Roles and Environmental Politics in Achieving SDGs through Environmental Management in Malaumkarta Village, Sorong

This study examines the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the traditional egek/sasi practices in Malaumkarta Village, Sorong Regency, Indonesia. It explores the roles of various stakeholders in integrating indigenous ecological knowledge with modern conservation efforts to achieve sustainable development. Using a qualitative case study approach, it highlights the role of a multi-stakeholder collaboration, including local youth, NGOs, religious institutions, local government, and the customary council. The study reveals that the successful localization of SDGs in Malaumkarta is attributed to a robust multi-stakeholder collaborative framework, encompassing local youth, NGOs, religious institutions, local government, and the customary council. The inaugural Egek Festival in 2023 exemplifies this collaboration, symbolizing the Moi tribe's commitment to sustainable resource management and cultural preservation. The research highlights the potential of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into modern conservation efforts and the importance of adapting global sustainability goals to local contexts. While the study's geographical scope and timeframe present limitations, its findings have significant implications for policy, practice, and future research in sustainable development, particularly in indigenous contexts. The Malaumkarta case offers valuable insights for achieving SDGs while preserving cultural heritage and ecological integrity, potentially informing similar initiatives worldwide

Service Quality Perceived by Athletes: The Case of Local Government Youth Centre

Meeting the needs in social life is given to local governments by the state. Local governments are responsible for meeting the social needs of individuals. Today, youth center areas are built by local governments to meet the social needs of young people and to create social areas. These are areas opened by local governments to protect the mental and physical health of all young people, to provide socio -cultural support, to contribute to the education of young people in line with their interests and to develop their skills. Athletes mostly use these areas for their physical development. These explanations and expressions, in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality examination is intended. In our research, we used a 10-question personal information forum (Gender, Educational Status, Branch, Monthly Income Status, Age, Your Mother's Educational Status, Your Father's Educational Status, Your Mother's Profession, Your Father's Profession) created by the researchers. The "Perceived Service Quality Scale in Youth Centers" , whose validity and reliability study was conducted by Polat et al. (2013), consisting of 23 items and a 5-point Likert type consisting of three sub-dimensions ( Physical Environment Quality , Interaction Quality, Output Quality ) , was used. The sample of the research consists of 349 (n=145 Female, n=204 Male) volunteer athletes who are actively involved in three different sports branches (n=177 Athletics, n=116 Table Tennis, n=116 Cycling). The data of the research, which was designed as an analytical cross-sectional type, was collected face to face after receiving approval from the Siirt University Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. The data obtained in the research were evaluated in the SPSS 25.0 package program. As a result of the normality analysis of the scale, it was seen that the significance values were greater than 0.05 and it was decided to use non-parametric analyzes in the analysis. In our research, Kruskal Wallis H Test and Man Witney U Test were applied. In the statistical analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in the variables of gender, education level, monthly income level, your mother's education level, your father's education level and the sub-dimensions of the perceived service quality scale in youth centers and the scale general scores. It was observed that there was no statistical difference in the sub-dimensions of the scale of perceived service quality in youth centers and the overall scores of the scale with the variables of profession, your father's profession. As a results;In line with the findings obtained in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality mom and father education status , gender , education status , monthly income status with statistical aspect difference it shows detection has been made .

Pelatihan Pembuatan Pupuk Organik Cair dari Kotoran Sapi sebagai Upaya Pengurangan Limbah di Desa Petiyintunggal, Kecamatan Dukun, Kabupaten Gresik

Petiyintunggal Village, located on the western border of Gresik Regency, is predominantly inhabited by farmers and livestock breeders. Cattle raising is a common side activity among the residents. The livestock farming in Petiyintunggal Village is managed traditionally, focusing primarily on the sale of fattened livestock for daily needs, without addressing the environmental impact of accumulated cow dung. To address these issues, the UNISDA 2024 Thematic Real Work Lecture team conducted counseling and training on processing cow dung into beneficial products, specifically liquid organic fertilizer. This training was held in Petiyintunggal Village, Dukun District, Gresik Regency, coordinated with local farmer groups and youth organizations (Karang Taruna). The primary objective was to enhance the community's capacity to produce liquid organic fertilizer as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, utilizing cow dung waste for sustainable farming practices. The training outcomes demonstrated a significant increase in participants' knowledge and skills, approximately 80%, in processing cow dung into liquid organic fertilizer, along with positive feedback and high enthusiasm from the participants.

Paragliding Events &amp; Festivals: Catalyzing Aero-Sports Tourism Development in India

India’s diverse geographical landscape and rich cultural history make it an ideal destination for paragliding events and festivals, highlighting its potential for aero sports tourism in the world. India has been the host of the Paragliding World Cup, and Paragliding Accuracy Pre-World Cup integrating with various cultural events and festivals. Paragliding destinations of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Kerala have gained popularity among the paragliding community worldwide by hosting paragliding “events &amp; festivals”. This study has evaluated the potential of the paragliding destination of various states in India and the role of paragliding “events and festivals” in aero-sports tourism development in India. After analyzing the data from the secondary sources found the various challenges for aero sports tourism in India. Managerial implication has underlined the importance of strategic planning required by state tourism departments, paragliding associations, and local communities to incorporate music and dance festivals with paragliding events. Skill development and training programs for local youth, development of the infrastructure, sustainable environmental practices, and effective marketing and promotion will all contribute to the growth of paragliding tourism in India. Findings highlight the incorporation of local culture (dance music &amp; food) into paragliding festivals, which promotes India’s rich heritage. Organizing events and festivals at Aero sports destinations attract tourists as well as benefits the local economy, resulting in job growth. Sustainable environment-friendly practices and community participation can reduce environmental damage and it will promote a sense of ownership among locals. The results underline the importance of empowering local communities to benefit from paragliding tourism development. Paragliding festivals not only paragliding pilots and tourists, but they also serve as an effective destination marketing tool, promoting lesser-known destinations and contributing to India's long-term Aero-sports tourism development goals.

Exploring the Lives of Children Born of Conflict‐Related Sexual Violence Through Art

Although the realities of children born of conflict‐related sexual violence have gained increased attention, limited research has explored the issue from the perspectives of the children themselves. Drawing upon a sample of 79 children born of sexual violence in Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) captivity, and using arts‐based methods, this study explored the wartime and post‐conflict experiences directly from children born of conflict‐related sexual violence in northern Uganda. The study illustrates how the arts‐based methods of mask‐making, drawing, and life maps—developed in consultation with local researchers and youth born in LRA captivity—helped to capture the complex wartime and post‐war realities of this unique population of children and youth, as well as enabled young people to choose what to share and what to withhold during the research process. More easily distributed, accessed, and consumed than traditional academic publications, the medium of art can have a widespread, immediate, and powerful impact. The article concludes with the strengths, limitations, and ethical implications of arts‐based methods, as well as the importance of considering culture and context for future research.

Exploring the effectiveness of youth outreach programmes: the case of Singapore

ABSTRACT In recent decades, some governments have sought greater youth participation in government and public life. This study examines Singapore’s efforts to foster youth participation in government-led community service projects, public conversations, and opportunities for citizen feedback. Using a mixed-methods design that combines a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, we explore the effectiveness of these government outreach programmes in the eyes of youth themselves, and whether they meet the government’s goal of promoting the active and engaged participation of young Singaporeans over the long term. We find that while local youth value the opportunity to participate meaningfully in governance, they also critique the government-led youth participation initiatives as top-down, choreographed, and inauthentic, saying that the views expressed therein do not sufficiently represent youth in Singapore. They also suggest feasible strategies to achieve genuine, inclusive youth participation in the public decision-making process.

Virtual Community Conversations as Catalysts for Improving Transitions for Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aspire to participate in a variety of activities after high school, such as attaining paid employment, enrolling in postsecondary education, being involved in their communities, living independently, and building friendships. However, complex and longstanding transition barriers require comprehensive solutions that are tailored to a local community's unique needs and available resources so that local youth with IDD may achieve their desired outcomes. This article presents "virtual community conversations" as a promising approach for bringing together local communities to tackle barriers to good outcomes for residents with IDD. Attendees were able to effectively generate innovative recommendations for addressing issues in their local communities. We offer recommendations for enhancing and extending implementation of this approach.

A HOLISTIC INQUIRY INTO RISK COMMUNICATION DYNAMICS: YOUTH-LED INITIATIVES AND SOCIETAL ENGAGEMENT IN SURABAYA'S RURAL LANDSCAPES

The overarching aim of this community service program is to contribute significantly to the understanding of risk communication dynamics and its profound implications within broader societal contexts. Beyond mere dissemination of information, this initiative serves as a comprehensive study, delving into the intricate web of societal attitudes, perceptions, and the intricate pathways through which information traverses within communities. Central to this endeavor is the creation of educational videos geared towards enhancing community awareness, particularly targeting the youth in rural village settings. These videos, crafted by local youth in Surabaya, encapsulate not only informative content but also culturally nuanced messaging that resonates deeply with the intended audience. Methodologically, the program adopts a multifaceted approach. Firstly, it involves the online dissemination of educational materials, strategically targeting bustling areas in Surabaya, notably Petemon and Kaliasin. Secondly, it encompasses Focus Group Discussions with children, providing invaluable insights into their utilization of smartphone cameras and their perceptions of media content. Lastly, the program includes a hands-on video workshop, empowering children to actively participate in the creation of visual narratives, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and agency. The duration of the research spanned a comprehensive 15-day period, allowing for in-depth exploration and analysis of community dynamics and perceptions. The outcomes of these community engagement activities unveil nuanced layers of perception and understanding regarding COVID-19 prevention programs, particularly the government's vaccination efforts. Notably, there emerges a preference for peer-driven engagement, with individuals opting to involve those within their immediate social circles. Within this communal framework, the created videos serve as powerful tools, employing a blend of straightforward visual storytelling and everyday language to effectively communicate crucial messages, thereby fostering a sense of collective responsibility and empowerment within the community.

Implementasi Fungsi Organisasi Melalui Kegiatan Pemetaan Kawasan Rawan Dan Rentan Narkoba Di Kota Bengkulu

Narcotics and psychotropic substances are drugs, materials that are useful in the field of health care, but on the other hand can cause dependence which is very detrimental if used without strict supervision. Narcotic substances were originally indicated for medicinal purposes, but with the development of science and technology, types of narcotics can be misused. Drug abuse has become a serious problem in various countries, both in developed countries and in Indonesia. To deal with the problem of narcotics, the activity "Implementation of Organizational Functions Through Mapping Activities of Drug Prone and Vulnerable Areas in Urban Children and Youth in 2024 at the Kandang Village Office, Kampung Melayu District, Bengkulu City" was carried out. The purpose of this activity is to realize a clean city from drugs. In the community service activities that have been carried out, it is considered very important. The results achieved in the formation of Volunteers, Intelligence in the Working Area of Kelurahan Kandang, Kampung Melayu Subdistrict, Bengkulu City, whose members consist of local people, both youth and youth organizations as well as community leaders who are chosen and trusted by the community. They will help socialize and control community activities, including monitoring and controlling those suspected of being involved in consuming or distributing drugs. Assistance to the cadres has been provided in health services and counseling activities, not only related to drugs but also other health issues, through technical guidance from BNN Bengkulu City.

Unveiling awareness and knowledge of orphan plants: catalysts for sustainable transformation in Al-Zarqa Basin, Jordan

The awareness of orphan plants and underutilized species that have agricultural, nutritional, and medicinal importance is critical to the sustainable civilization of people. The lack of knowledge of the orphan plant’s importance stems from insufficient outreach and educational efforts and this may increase the underappreciation of these plants’ ecological relevance which will affect the sustainable environment in the determined region. In this study, Al Zarqa basin region located in the northern part of Jordan was selected as a study case. This is due to it having rich plant biodiversity with many endangered plant species. This study aimed to assess the awareness levels of the civil people in the Al Zarqa basin regarding orphan plants and identify key factors influencing the community’s understanding of these underutilized species. In this study, local youth volunteers distributed an e-questionnaire, and 1000 participants from seven villages were engaged. Different parameters that measure people’s awareness regarding orphan plants were evaluated. Data were collected and statistically analyzed to show the range of the people’s awareness. Data showed the predominant of the samples used were male representation (66%), aged 18–45, engaged in agricultural and handicraft activities, with diverse educational backgrounds, and monthly incomes of 300–500 JD. Limited awareness (23.3%) of ‘orphan plants’ was linked to lower academic levels in the studied areas. Perceived benefits varied, with 36.1% acknowledging moderate advantages and 25.6% perceiving high benefits. Despite recognizing utility, participants lacked specificity in benefits or classification. The study concludes that the region exhibits a dearth of knowledge about orphan plants, necessitating educational initiatives to raise awareness and advocate for the agricultural and medicinal potential of underutilized plant species, contributing to the socioeconomic advancement of residents in the agriculturally endowed Zarqa Basin. This investigation is essential for highlighting the current state of awareness and informing potential outreach and education strategies. Addressing the root cause of underappreciation through targeted initiatives can play a pivotal role in fostering a better understanding of the ecological significance of rare and endangered plants, ultimately contributing to their conservation and sustainable use.

The Role of University-Ngo Cooperation in Increasing the Entrepreneurial Skills of Youth: An Evaluation Specific to Refugee Youth

As widely recognized, Turkey is hosting the world's highest number of registered refugees since 2011. Notably, 20% of this refugee population comprises young individuals aged 18-29, highlighting significant youth. Gaziantep, second to Istanbul in refugee concentration, accommodates over 440,000 refugees. This study delves into the necessity of forging a new symbiotic relationship between residents and migrants. Such a partnership can positively affect industry, productivity and human resource diversity. Notably, research indicates that a majority (80%) of refugees do not foresee a return to Syria, underscoring the significance of maximizing the productivity and efficiency of these individuals in their adopted regions. Consequently, the study investigates the interplay between young migrants and the city's entrepreneurship ecosystem, drawing upon data from 14 collaborative projects, focusing on enhancing local and refugee youth's capacity and entrepreneurial skills, between Gaziantep University and NGOs. The findings underscore the outcomes stemming from the alliance between young refugees and their local counterparts, which fosters innovation and productivity through collaboration. This study illuminates the potential for new ecosystems to drive entrepreneurial effectiveness and efficiency, culminating in innovation-driven accomplishments facilitated by the collaboration between refugee and local youth.

Youth mental health in a Canadian community sample during COVID-19: Exploring the role of perceived sense of belonging.

Research has linked broad societal changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic and poorer mental health in young people. There remains a pressing need for studies examining the factors that are associated with better mental health and well-being. The current study addresses this gap using a community-based survey called the Waterloo Region Youth Impact Survey. It was designed in partnership with local youth and the Canadian Index of Well-Being in accordance with United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund guidelines. Using a convenience sampling methodology, this survey was developed to explore the domains, rates, and correlates of well-being and mental health among youth during the pandemic (N = 297). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to identify dimensions related to children's social environment (friends, school, family), sense of belonging, mental health, and well-being. Subsequently, a mediation model was tested. The relationship between children's environments and mental health and well-being operated via perceived sense of belonging. Findings shed light on patterns of youth mental health and well-being during the pandemic, illustrating the role of belonging as a promotive factor with public health relevance.

창조경제혁신센터 발전방안에 관한 연구

This study selected 17 regional creative economic innovation centers, excluding two private autonomous innovation centers, out of a total of 19 nationwide, and conducted case studies based on previous studies, articles, center websites, internal data, and interviews with practitioners. To establish the identity of Creative Economy Innovation Centers as regional startup hubs and drivers of local innovation, it is necessary to redefine their roles not only through collaboration with universities but also through realigning their roles with relevant local institutions. Secondly, it was observed that most of the investment resources for Creative Economy Innovation Centers remain in the form of initial funding support. To facilitate the scale-up of early-stage startups, it is necessary to develop qualitative improvement measures from various perspectives, including support tailored to specific businesses and growth stages. Additionally, in response to the strengthening global and domestic ESG regulations, centers should consider implementing customized ESG management education and certification support for startups, as well as mentoring programs. Thirdly, to reduce regional disparities, Creative Economy Innovation Centers should actively operate open programs specific to each center and allocate budgets that allow for flexible engagement in collaborative projects within their internal structure. Policy measures are needed to address the issue of regional decline by considering business initiatives for local youth, which also contribute to the sustainability of startups. Furthermore, there is a need to expand educational programs and policy support for “born-global” startups that target niche global markets from the early stages of entrepreneurship. This study is meaningful in confirming and verifying that the various attempts and efforts needed to build a regional innovation start-up ecosystem, as well as quantitative results on supporting the growth of startups and existing local SMEs discovered and fostered through the Creative Economy Innovation Center, as well as job creation and maintenance based on regional economic growth, need to be maintained and developed continuously.

Affirming healthcare encounters catalyze psychological empowerment to drive HIV testing among SGM youth in Florida

Psychological empowerment (PE) reliably drives HIV-prevention self-efficacy among sexually and gender-minoritized (SGM) young people, who endure housing precarity, and rely on criminalized labor, disproportionately. Using needs assessment data gathered from May–December 2021, we tested associations between criminalized income reliance, unhoused/unsafe housing status, and components of PE with lifetime HIV testing among a cross-sectional sample of SGM youth across Florida (N = 454, aged 15–29), using measures codesigned with local youth advocates. In adjusted multivariable models, intrapersonal PE (aOR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.55, 3.32; p < 0.001), and interactional PE, operationalized via open, receptive interactions with affirming healthcare providers (aOR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.12, 3.43; p = 0.019), were positively predictive of lifetime HIV testing. Interactions with criminalized labor and housing precarity were null. Marginal effects analyses suggested a catalytic effect of intrapersonal and interactional PE, and of multisexuality, as potential drivers of HIV testing uptake. The positive associations between HIV testing, affirming clinical encounters, and intrapersonal empowerment points to key untapped determinants of preventive-service uptake among young people failed by current service delivery models in Florida. Future research should distinguish precise mechanisms by which collective sociopolitical efficacy might facilitate HIV testing.

Lessons Learned: A Qualitative Study of Service Delivery and Experiences in Local Youth Workforce Programs

Lessons Learned: A Qualitative Study of Service Delivery and Experiences in Local Youth Workforce Programs

Places to be young: The dispossession of public space in Old Havana

The touristification of Old Havana is resulting in unique patterns of gentrification that rely on a new spatial imaginary, the enforcement of which is resulting in the loss of places for residents to be young. The Cuban state’s preservation of significant proportions of social housing as part of its investments in the heritage tourism industry is disrupting common housing-led displacement in the city. The neighbourhood’s economic transition is concentrated instead in public spaces, as squares and streets are taken over by new tourist-serving businesses. This process of enclosure dispossesses locals of both public and private leisure spaces, as the cost of consumption in said businesses is beyond the purchasing power afforded by Cuban salaries. The dispossession of public space is particularly problematic for local youth who, given the persistence and pervasiveness of Havana’s housing crisis, spend the majority of their free time in streets and squares. This displacement of youth reinforces existing patterns of exclusion and discrimination along lines of race, class and gender. Given the particular value of public space for youth development in communities like Old Havana, this article documents the three main processes through which young people are being displaced from or dispossessed of urban public space in their neighbourhood, enclosure, sanitisation and temporary appropriation, and discusses the impacts on young peoples’ place-related identity.