YAG has had the pleasure of inviting numerous international volunteers/interns to work with the organisation since its establishment. Whether arriving from a university, through an organisation or independently, our international volunteers or interns come with their own individual skillset and expertise. Each visitor has something different to offer of equal value. Over time we have learnt to have an open and warm approach that encourages the visitor to feel comfortable to flourish within their abilities and to also push themselves to develop and get whatever they desire from their experience with us. Hosting international volunteers at YAG is greatly beneficial for the learning and development of both the organisation and the individual visiting. It is desired for this mutually beneficial relationship to continue and thrive through an official proposal of a YAG University Partnership.

For the level of experience desired, this concept targets individuals who are at the under graduate and master’s degree level in relevant subject areas such as Social Work, Sociology, International Development, Communication, Media or Development Studies and have an interest of gaining work experience at a Ghanaian youth advocacy NGO. This may include students taking part in an internship as part of their postgraduate study or as a break from their study. YAG would ensure that volunteers or interns would get the most out of their work, giving space for their focus on specific areas of interest and getting the opportunity to speak or present any research findings at certain events, such as conferences organised by the organisation. The key concept of ‘partnership’ enters where YAG would also promote the university that a visitor is travelling from to increase awareness in Ghana. What YAG can provide in return is open to discussion and tailorable for each individual university.

The goal of ‘YAG University Partnership’ is to:

Mutually benefit the growth and development of international master students, their universities and YAG.

The specific objectives are to:

• Allow international master students to gain relevant work experience and learn from a cultural immersion in Ghanaian society
• Grow recognition of certain non-Ghanaian universities in Ghana and develop the recruitment of Ghanaian students at their institution
• Diversify YAG’S approach to youth empowerment

These objectives intend to lead to the following outcomes:

• Widen perspectives and increase success of development work from a collaboration of international approaches
• Close development gaps with the opportunity of young people from different backgrounds to work and study in new environments

• Annual placement of international student interns or volunteers at YAG
• Joint project proposal development around mutual areas of interest
• Youth and Students Exchange Programmes
• Graduate research or theses work at host country with the support of YAG
• Training and capacity development
• Community Projects
• Future students’ recruitments support
• Conference Presentations and speaker opportunities

Partnered universities are expected to:

• Share information regarding vacancies at Youth Advocates Ghana
• Provide potential students any information or support in the students’ placement journey
• Provide or guide any funding opportunity for both students and YAG
• Conference presentations and speaker opportunities for YAG to present their work.
• Resource mobilization efforts
• Facilitation and joint programme development