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Youth are the change agents this world needs. Be the change! But what skills are needed to advocate for change? What are common techniques, mechanisms, and venues for change advocacy? Come hear from a RTI International Vice President about his advocacy experience with the Obama Administration and decades of work on the US Capitol Hill, and Richard Todosia, President of the Kenya National Youth Bunge Association, a powerful and successful youth advocacy platform. Gain tips, tricks, and tactics, and come ready to ask questions and provide your own perspective from your experience. RTI International is hosting this webinar to both provide skills and learn from yours.

The aim of the webinar is to build youth awareness of youth advocacy venues and approaches; to inspire youth to get involved in advocacy.

Hosted and moderated by RTI International.

Eric M. Johnson currently directs RTI’s Center for Global Youth Employment, with a focus on developing and testing workforce development solutions. Dr. Johnson is an accomplished development professional with 15 years of experience bridging the worlds of academia, policy, and practice. He previously worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) where he led USAID investments in higher education and workforce development, while also acting as Deputy Director of USAID’s Office of Education. Dr. Johnson now provides technical expertise and support for RTI’s portfolio of youth workforce development projects in El Salvador, Kenya, Senegal, Indonesia, and the Philippines. He provides thought-leadership for the youth workforce development sector through periodic presentations and publications. 

Speakers:

Greg McDonald “How advocacy works in the US democracy: tips for young advocates for change”

Greg McDonald leads efforts to build and strengthen RTI's relationships among state and federal agency officials and policy makers. Mr. McDonald joined RTI after working for Cornerstone Government Affairs, providing public affairs and government relations services for a diverse group of clients. McDonald started his professional career in the United States House of Representatives where he advised a senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. Following his work on the Hill, he worked as an attorney at a top-ranked law firm. Mr. McDonald has also held senior leadership roles in the Democratic Party, including being a Director of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee, where President Barack Obama was selected as the party's candidate, and then as a Lead of President Obama's Inaugural Committee. He received undergraduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts, a law degree from George Mason University and is licensed to practice in Maryland.

Richard Todosia

Richard Todosia Ruto is the current chairperson of National Youth Bunge Association (NYBA) in Kenya and also the president of West Pokot Youth Bunge County Forum. Some of Richard’s remarkable achievements is playing a key role in the formation of NYBA from Youth Bunge Forums across 35 Counties in the republic of Kenya. Richard is a youth leader with extensive knowledge of youth issues, governance, peace building and conflict mitigation among others. He is also actively involved in uniting communities which have been involved in conflicts in Elgeyo marakwet, Turkana and West Pokot Counties. He has also extended his peace building efforts to North-east of Uganda that is inhabited by the Karamojong community. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy and administration from Kenyatta University.

Dr. Ehud Gachugu

Dr. Ehud Gachugu is a Youth Workforce development specialist with over 17 years of professional and technical experience in youth workforce development. Dr. Ehud worked as the Executive Director of Eastleigh Community Centre and later on as the Project Director of the World Bank, Kenya Youth Empowerment (KYEP) Project implemented by Kenya Private sector Alliance. Dr. Gachugu currently works for Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International as Deputy Chief of Party of USAID funded Kenya Youth Employment and Skills (KYES) Program.