🌍 Karen Pittman and Merita Irby share insights from the Global Extended Learning and Youth Development Association (GELYDA) - a game-changing international organization connecting youth development professionals worldwide! Key highlights from their first conference in Iceland: ✨ Cross-system collaboration between schools, afterschool programs & communities ✨ International research on student well-being & education reform in the AI age ✨ Innovative workforce development for youth professionals ✨ Real policy changes creating new pathways for collaboration Beyond the conference GELYDA is engaging youth development professionals worldwide through their webiste - that offers resources from Korea, Iceland, Germany, UK & US - plus a new biannual magazine focused on strengthening youth work globally. They encourage everyone to join them in this organization and movement. Founding membership is FREE for the next year as they build their community. 👉 Check out the full article and get involved: https://bit.ly/4lpwX61 📸 Youth Today #afterschool #extendedlearning #GELYDA #OST #outofschooltime #YouthDevelopment #GlobalLearning #WorkforceDevelopment #CrossSectorCollaboration (fb)

Karen J Pittman reflects on a recent visit to Iceland, where she learned how the country has taken legislative action to create a collaborative, youth-centered ecosystem of learning that integrates schools, afterschool programs, and community-based services. From leisure centers for 6-year-olds to youth-directed funding and cross-sector collaboration, Iceland offers a blueprint for how education systems can truly center youth well-being. This isn’t just innovation—it’s infrastructure. 📖 Read Karen Pittman’s full article and her take aways here: https://bit.ly/40pyj8L 📸 AnnaStills/Shutterstock #YouthDevelopment #Iceland #YouthCenteredLearning #WholeChild #AfterschoolPrograms #YouthToday #EducationInnovation #creative thinking #developmentalrelationships #outofschooltime #afterschool #positiveyouthdevelopment (fb)