6. RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND POLICY INFLUENCING
Youth Rise International (YoRI) co-design cutting-edge research and evidence-generation to inform and drive development programming, evidence-based advocacy and policy influencing at local, national, regional and global levels towards prosperous, inclusive, just, equitable and sustainable development. Today we become the voice of the voiceless, we represent, amplify and fights for integration of the voices of minority population, very poor, vulnerable and marginalized population through using new media (social media) and traditional media (television, radio, newspaper and online media platforms). What is unique about us is that, our advocacy and policy influencing work is shaped by the Socio-ecological model in Communication for Development (C4D) theory and practice. We have strong expertise in communication for development (C4D) and media and we leverage on these powerful weapons in our advocacy and policy influencing.
Today, a critical root cause of extreme poverty and social exclusion is lack of just and equitable local, national, regional and global laws, policies, plans and development programs, impunity and lack of enforcement of laws that protect the very poor, vulnerable, and marginalized and minority groups. It is therefore critical that we advocacy for pro-poor laws, policies, plans and development programs, seek for good governance, peace and security and the enforcement of relevant laws that guarantee access to basic rights and respect for human rights and dignity for all while addressing inequalities. The good is that over the years, we are highly recognized by the Government of Ghana through its relevant Ministries, Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Assemblies (MMDAs) and regional and global organizations such as African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) and International Labour Organization (ILO).
Youth Rise International (YoRI) strategically builds synergies through relevant collaboration and partnership with local, regional and international governmental, non-governmental organizations and development partners. This is based on our belief and resolution that we can’t end poverty and achieve shared prosperity for all as a single organization which is amplified by the SDG 17. Therefore, we are active members of prestigious and influential local, national, regional and global coalitions, networks and alliances CIVICUS World Alliance For Citizen Participation (South Africa), Ghana Philanthropy Forum, Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking (Ghana), Survivor Alliance (USA) and Social Enterprise Ghana.