Reflections from the Leadership 360 Youth Conference

As the director of Scofield Associates, a research company serving the Horn of Africa since 2016, I had the privilege of attending the Leadership 360 Conference; a two day event hosted at CITAM Church Woodley.  It was an event designed to ignite the potential of the country’s vibrant youth. Stepping into this dynamic space pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, immersing me in a whirlwind of learning, heartfelt engagement with young leaders, and captivating presentations from inspiring speakers. The room buzzed with the energy of young Kenyans just embarking on their journeys, their minds brimming with bold and innovative ideas to reshape the world. It was a humbling and exhilarating experience that challenged my perspectives and sparked new opportunities for our work at Scofield Associates. This reflection shows how youth leadership conferences, such as Leadership 360, can serve as catalysts for empowering young leaders in Kenya and the broader Horn of Africa region and explores the implications for research and policy.

The conference was a melting pot of ambition and creativity, with an audience largely under 30 years old, tackling issues such as sustainable development, digital innovation, ethical governance, resilience, and leadership. The discomfort I felt stemmed from being surrounded by such unfiltered passion; it is not every day that one is in a space where the status quo is so boldly questioned. Yet, that unease quickly transformed into excitement as I listened to stories of resilience and ingenuity, many of which echoed the socio-economic trends we have been researching across Kenya, the Horn, and beyond. These young voices were not just theorizing; they were laying the groundwork for transformative change based on lived experiences, dreams, and daily practice.

The conference not only provided a platform for youth empowerment but also served as a catalyst for personal and professional development. As I engaged with the young leaders, their fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges opened my eyes to new possibilities for our research initiatives at Scofield Associates. This experience reinforces the importance of fostering intergenerational dialogue and collaboration across the Horn of Africa. Reflecting on the event, I realized that the insights gained from the Leadership 360 Conference could significantly shape the future direction of Scofield Associates, especially regarding youth engagement.

The conference comes against a backdrop of data showing that the youth of Kenya, Africa, and the globe represent a significant untapped resource for innovation, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and research. Their unique perspectives and digital nativity position them as potential catalysts for transformative changes across various sectors. Studies have shown that young people in Africa are increasingly engaging with technology, with a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) indicating that 60% of Africa’s population is under 25 years of age, and they are driving the continent’s digital transformation (IFC, 2019). This demographic dividend, coupled with the rapid adoption of smartphones and Internet connectivity, creates fertile ground for AI-driven innovations and research contributions from the youth.

The potential for youth engagement in AI and research extends beyond technological advancements, encompassing leadership, ethics, and sustainable development. A study published in the Journal of Youth Studies highlights that young people’s involvement in decision-making leads to more inclusive and sustainable outcomes (Smith et al., 2020). Furthermore, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) emphasizes the role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting their capacity for innovative problem-solving and ethical leadership (UNDP, 2021). By harnessing the creativity and energy of young people, countries such as Kenya can address complex challenges while fostering a new generation of ethical leaders committed to sustainable development principles.

One of the most profound takeaways from Leadership 360 was the power of intergenerational dialogue, a theme that resonated deeply with our work at Scofield Associates. Engaging with young leaders and seasoned presenters offered a unique perspective on the future of leadership in Kenya and the broader region. The key insights that left a lasting impact are as follows:

• Innovative Approaches to Regional Challenges: Youth showcased remarkable creativity in addressing pressing issues. Ideas such as leveraging artificial intelligence to boost productivity and market their capacities stood out. These align closely with our research at Scofield Associates, which has long explored how technology and community-driven initiatives can empower local-level engagements and offer opportunities for growth. Hearing these ideas firsthand reinforced the need for our reports to capture such forward-thinking solutions while offering an opportunity for the youth, who are the direct users of this technology, to contribute to the conversation.
• Navigating Barriers with Resilience: The discussions laid bare the challenges these young leaders face, including limited access to funding, gaps in policy support, and systemic inequalities. However, their determination to push forward was inspiring and motivating. This perspective challenged me to consider how our research, which spans governance, security, and economic development, can better amplify youth voices to influence policy changes. Their stories of perseverance are a call to make our work more inclusive and grounded in real-world
• The Power of Collaboration: Building on the theme of collaboration, the conference also unveiled new opportunities for Scofield Associates, connecting me with presenters who were experts in leadership training and young innovators eager to partner. These interactions sparked ideas for potential collaborations, such as co-authoring white papers on ethical leadership or conducting joint surveys on digital inclusion across the Horn of Africa. For Scofield Associates, this opens doors to enriching our research with diverse perspectives, building on our record of accomplishment of delivering insights to governments, NGOs, and the private sector.

The Leadership 360 conference also unveiled tangible opportunities for Scofield Associates to expand its influence. Since our inception, we have focused on delivering high-quality, data-driven insights to stakeholders across the Horn of Africa. The ideas and connections from the conference point to new directions, such as launching youth-centric research projects on leadership, ethics, entrepreneurship, and AI usage in Kenya. It also offered a bulb moment on opportunities for potential partnerships with the young leaders I met. The chance to collaborate with youth organizations and thought leaders could lead to innovative projects, such as reports on climate resilience infused with the fresh perspectives encountered during the program. However, I remain radically open to learning how such partnerships would look to respond to the current challenges faced in society while also leveraging established expertise.

These learnings were not just moments of inspiration; they were a blueprint for action. They have prompted me to rethink how Scofield Associates can integrate youth-driven narratives into our methodology, ensuring that our research remains relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing region. By incorporating the energy, creativity, and forward-thinking ideas of Kenya’s youth into our research methodologies and project designs, we can enhance our ability to address complex regional issues and contribute more effectively to sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.

Engaging with the youth not only reinvigorated my commitment but also highlighted the specific methodological changes needed at Scofield Associates to incorporate their insights. The youth at Leadership 360 are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are shaping the region today. For Scofield Associates, this is a call to deepen our engagement with these voices and ensure that our research continues to evolve and inspire. Well in to the organizers, including the Leadership 360 Team; Emerging Leaders Foundation – Africa (ELF – A); Siasa Place; the Christ is The Answer Ministries (CTAM), and others I may have not mentioned. It is my hope that the youth also have an opportunity to learn from the leavers to influence change.

Keywords: Leadership 360 conference Kenya, youth leadership in Kenya, research opportunities Horn of Africa, Scofield Associates, youth empowerment in East Africa

References:

International Finance Corporation (IFC). (2019). Digital Skills in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Spotlight on Ghana. Washington, DC: IFC.

Smith, A., Johnson, B., and Lee, C. (2020). Youth participation in decision-making: Implications for sustainable development. Journal of Youth Studies, 23(4), 456-472.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2021). Youth and SDGs: Accelerating Action. New York: UNDP.