Our Training Programs
Based firmly in community and youth development theory and research literature, our dynamic programs are developed, implemented, tested, and rigorously evaluated. The UNESCO Chair program provides training and expertise in the area of community organization and building important skills necessary for empowering and transforming youth and communities.
Our Training Programs
Based firmly in community and youth development theory and research literature, our dynamic programs are developed, implemented, tested, and rigorously evaluated. The UNESCO Chair program provides training and expertise in the area of community organization and building important skills necessary for empowering and transforming youth and communities.
Research Projects
Our work exists worldwide, within the UNESCO priority area of the Global South, to other regions of the world where youth and communities are in need of support.
The Youth-as-Researchers program to ensure Ukrainian Youth Refugee Voices
- PI: Jamison Malcolm
Self-Determination Theory, Empathy, And a Global Audience: Understanding the Personal Motivations of Youth as Researchers to Apply to the Program
- PI: Dr. Kaila Thorn
Technology Adoption in Cacao Farms in San Vicente De Chucuri, Santander: The Role of Cadmium Regulations
- PI: Dr. Alejando Gil Aguire
What Are the Most Effective Components of Empathy Education for Undergraduate Students to Increase Their Empathy Levels?
- PI: Dr. Kate Berardi
The Brazilian Social Mobilization for Education Plan - Factors Affecting Leadership Engagement in The Communities of the Estreito Hydroelectric Region
- Project Director: Dr. Erika Anseloni
Higher Education and Community Development: A Multi-Stakeholder View on the Correlates of Project Participation and Design Preferences
- PI: Brad Olson
Examining the Impacts of Youth Participatory Evaluation Methods on a Youth Participatory Action Research Setting
- PI: Dr. Erica Odera
Chocolate and Climate Change: Investigating Gender Dynamics of Small-Scale Cacao Producers in Lampung and South Sulawesi Indonesia
- PI: Dr. Sarah Eissler
Exploring the Public Value of the Nuffield International Farming Scholars Program
- PI: Dr. Jean Lonie
Participation in Capacity-Building Programs and the Implications for the Well-Being of Young Farmers with and Without Disabilities in Uganda
- PI: Dr. David Agole
Beyond Participation: No Research About Us Without Us
- PI: Jamison Malcolm
AG Kids aren't Gay: The LGBTQ+ Youth Climate in Pennsylvania 4-H
- PI: Mya Swires
Could Empathy Lead to Community Development? A Study on the Factors Shaping and Maintaining Personal Empathy
- PI: Karim Bataineh
Youth Leadership Development in Kenya and Zambia
- PIs: Dr. Susan Redmond and Dr. Mark Brennan
Youth Development in Kenya: The Children and Youth Empowerment Centre and Zawadi Ecovillage
- PI: Brad Olson
A mere two generations ago the very idea of a class of homeless children - children without stable and supportive social connections - would, to most African communities, have been difficult to comprehend. Yet today such children are accepted as a normal, if undesirable, feature of African society. Through an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Kenyan Children and Youth Empowerment Centre, the UNESCO Chair, and Penn State faculty and students are addressing some of the most challenging issues in youth development. In response to these challenges, the partners are establishing a system of Zawadi EcoVillages in Kenya to facilitate the successful exit of vulnerable youth from rehabilitation centers. This phase of the program assists young people graduating from the CYEC to become independent and self-reliant even when immediate employment is not available.
Community Development and Capacity Building in Rural Ireland and Pennsylvania
- PIs: Kaitlyn Butterbaugh and Dr. Mark Brennan
Community and Youth Development in Rural America and Ireland
- PI: Dr. Mark Brennan
The role of citizen participation in the rural and community development process needs to be better understood and better integrated into local development efforts. Such collective action is vital to protecting, retaining, and maintaining communities in the face of a wide range of threats. Beginning in 2003 a wide range of international comparative research was designed to explore the role of community action in contributing to local well-being in Ireland and America. Exploration of the conditions shaping civic engagement and action provided a basis for programming for community development practitioners to use in their efforts to enhance citizen participation. To date 12 communities in both nations have utilized the research and related program curriculum to improve local life.
Community Leadership Development: Youth Leadership Development in Pennsylvanian High Schools with Agriculture Programs
- PI: Dr. Sarah Osmane
Market-Led Agrarian Reform: Findings from an Exploratory Case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa
- PIs: Dr. Thomas Bruening, Brad Olson, Daniel Tobin, and Dr. Mark Brennan
Understanding Diffusion of Innovations with Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Turrialba, Costa Rica
- PI: Sarah Eissler
Community Development and Natural Resource Conservation in Vietnam
- PIs: Dr. Thuy Nguyen and Dr. Mark Brennan
Community Based Natural Resource Management in Kenya
- PI: Brad Olson
Interactions Between Livelihoods and Pro-Poor Value Chains: A Case Study of Native Potatoes in The Central Highlands Of Peru
- PI: Dr. Daniel Tobin
Research Projects
Our work exists worldwide, within the UNESCO priority area of the Global South, to other regions of the world where youth and communities are in need of support.
The Youth-as-Researchers program to ensure Ukrainian Youth Refugee Voices
- PI: Jamison Malcolm
Self-Determination Theory, Empathy, And a Global Audience: Understanding the Personal Motivations of Youth as Researchers to Apply to the Program
- PI: Dr. Kaila Thorn
Technology Adoption in Cacao Farms in San Vicente De Chucuri, Santander: The Role of Cadmium Regulations
- PI: Dr. Alejando Gil Aguire
What Are the Most Effective Components of Empathy Education for Undergraduate Students to Increase Their Empathy Levels?
- PI: Dr. Kate Berardi
The Brazilian Social Mobilization for Education Plan - Factors Affecting Leadership Engagement in The Communities of the Estreito Hydroelectric Region
- Project Director: Dr. Erika Anseloni
Higher Education and Community Development: A Multi-Stakeholder View on the Correlates of Project Participation and Design Preferences
- PI: Brad Olson
Examining the Impacts of Youth Participatory Evaluation Methods on a Youth Participatory Action Research Setting
- PI: Dr. Erica Odera
Chocolate and Climate Change: Investigating Gender Dynamics of Small-Scale Cacao Producers in Lampung and South Sulawesi Indonesia
- PI: Dr. Sarah Eissler
Exploring the Public Value of the Nuffield International Farming Scholars Program
- PI: Dr. Jean Lonie
Participation in Capacity-Building Programs and the Implications for the Well-Being of Young Farmers with and Without Disabilities in Uganda
- PI: Dr. David Agole
Beyond Participation: No Research About Us Without Us
- PI: Jamison Malcolm
AG Kids aren't Gay: The LGBTQ+ Youth Climate in Pennsylvania 4-H
- PI: Mya Swires
Could Empathy Lead to Community Development? A Study on the Factors Shaping and Maintaining Personal Empathy
- PI: Karim Bataineh
Youth Leadership Development in Kenya and Zambia
- PIs: Dr. Susan Redmond and Dr. Mark Brennan
Youth Development in Kenya: The Children and Youth Empowerment Centre and Zawadi Ecovillage
- PI: Brad Olson
A mere two generations ago the very idea of a class of homeless children - children without stable and supportive social connections - would, to most African communities, have been difficult to comprehend. Yet today such children are accepted as a normal, if undesirable, feature of African society. Through an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Kenyan Children and Youth Empowerment Centre, the UNESCO Chair, and Penn State faculty and students are addressing some of the most challenging issues in youth development. In response to these challenges, the partners are establishing a system of Zawadi EcoVillages in Kenya to facilitate the successful exit of vulnerable youth from rehabilitation centers. This phase of the program assists young people graduating from the CYEC to become independent and self-reliant even when immediate employment is not available.
Community Development and Capacity Building in Rural Ireland and Pennsylvania
- PIs: Kaitlyn Butterbaugh and Dr. Mark Brennan
Community and Youth Development in Rural America and Ireland
- PI: Dr. Mark Brennan
The role of citizen participation in the rural and community development process needs to be better understood and better integrated into local development efforts. Such collective action is vital to protecting, retaining, and maintaining communities in the face of a wide range of threats. Beginning in 2003 a wide range of international comparative research was designed to explore the role of community action in contributing to local well-being in Ireland and America. Exploration of the conditions shaping civic engagement and action provided a basis for programming for community development practitioners to use in their efforts to enhance citizen participation. To date 12 communities in both nations have utilized the research and related program curriculum to improve local life.
Community Leadership Development: Youth Leadership Development in Pennsylvanian High Schools with Agriculture Programs
- PI: Dr. Sarah Osmane
Market-Led Agrarian Reform: Findings from an Exploratory Case Study in Limpopo Province, South Africa
- PIs: Dr. Thomas Bruening, Brad Olson, Daniel Tobin, and Dr. Mark Brennan
Understanding Diffusion of Innovations with Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Turrialba, Costa Rica
- PI: Sarah Eissler
Community Development and Natural Resource Conservation in Vietnam
- PIs: Dr. Thuy Nguyen and Dr. Mark Brennan
Community Based Natural Resource Management in Kenya
- PI: Brad Olson
Interactions Between Livelihoods and Pro-Poor Value Chains: A Case Study of Native Potatoes in The Central Highlands Of Peru
- PI: Dr. Daniel Tobin
