Leaders in Teaching Ethiopia (LiTE) Program established the National Youth Advisory Group (YAG) following a participatory workshop held at the Imagine1day Country Office. The initiative marks a significant step toward placing young people at the center of Ethiopia’s education transformation agenda. The LiTE Program is implemented by Imagine1day (lead), EDT, and Geneva Global Ethiopia.

The workshop opened with remarks from Imagine1day’s senior leadership team, who underscored the value of meaningful youth engagement in driving education outcomes and recognized the role young people continue to play in their communities. Participants also received an overview of the LiTE Program and a dedicated session on safeguarding and child protection, reinforcing the Program’s commitment to safe and inclusive spaces for youth.

           

Made up of 10 members, the YAG established its governance structure through a transparent election process and named its leaders for the first year of the Program implementing period:

  • Chairperson: Edom Messay
  • Co-Chairperson: Fraol Nemewak
  • Secretary: Siyane Kumela

The YAG was established to ensure that the ideas, perspectives, and voices of young people are heard and acted upon. By bringing youth into every stage of program design and execution, implementers gain a clearer understanding of their needs and preferences. At the same time, young people develop a stronger sense of participation, ownership, and accountability. Their creativity and lived experiences often spark original ideas that make interventions more engaging and effective.

              

Embedding a Youth Advisory Group within the LiTE Program ensures that interventions are more relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of Ethiopian youth. Beyond shaping education initiatives, youth voices help build stronger, more resilient schools and communities, reinforcing LiTE’s commitment to empowering young people as genuine partners in education reform and system strengthening.

 

Closing the workshop, Dr. Fanta Mandefro, Program Management Unit Director, made his remarks, celebrating the launch of a youth-led platform that will help shape the Program’s design, delivery, and long-term impact. The newly formed YAG will ensure that the voices, experiences, and ideas of young people directly inform LiTE’s implementation nationwide.