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History, Culture, Geography, Environment

IYLI's programs emphasize the ways that young people can help to effect change in their community.  They develop their ability to think critically about their condition and the world around them.  They learn to be global citizens and activists who recognize the connections between local and international challenges and solutions.
 
IYLI supports students to succeed in a progression of challenging academic and hands-on experiences beginning in early adolescence that build confidence, personal efficacy and leadership.  Through IYLI's seminars, students learn to apply a holistic critical thinking paradigm focusing on history, culture, geography and environment.  They develop reasoning and analytical skills and explore the root causes of social problems and ways that individuals and groups have tackled these problems.

Leadership Engagement Through Service

Students practice and apply leadership through IYLI's unique form of public service.  They plan and develop service projects that capture their own vision for positive action while supporting the mission of the organization in which they volunteer. Through the projects they create, students serve a wide range of community needs, including health, legal, education, social services and youth development.

Global Citizenship

Their community work is enhanced by immersion in cross-cultural experiences in Latin America and Africa.  Students use the IYLI framework and ethnographic research methodologies to investigate a wide range of community development issues. Importantly, students also explore their own identity and their relationship to Africa and the African Diaspora.  Through their experiences, students counter negative stereotypes and explore what they share in common as well as differences.
 
IYLI promotes and cultivates high expectations for personal development, including preparation for and attainment in higher education.  IYLI also draws a critical link between personal responsibility for self development and leadership to address local and global challenges.