AUGUST 12 FROM 10:00 TO 11:30 AM BOGOTA TIME, VIA ZOOM
Young people are at the heart of the work carried out by the YMCA, that’s why we invite you to join us for an inspiring and dynamic panel. This event will highlight the importance of Measuring Social-Emotional Skills in youth within social programs
We believe that the youth of the 21st century will face current and future challenges and whose actions will shape the future of the next generation. Youth in the 21st century face diverse challenges, which require new approaches in their preparation and empowerment. A young person in the 21st Century should have the tools necessary to navigate and overcome the challenges faced on their journey to adulthood.
What are Social-Emotional Skills?
These skills enable us to understand and regulate our emotions, feel and show empathy for others, establish and develop positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and set and achieve goals.
Some examples include teamwork, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, tolerance, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Why are they important?
Research over the past decade on prompting social and emotional learning indicates that these skills are essential for personal development and success in navigating life. They are linked to positive behaviors, good academic performance, reduced risky behaviors, and the development of effective coping mechanisms.
This opportunity is for you if
You are interested in learning how the impact of social programs can be enhanced by measuring Social-Emotional Skills.
You want to understand how measuring Social Emotional Skills can contribute to your organization’s capacity building and resource optimization.
You finance youth-focused projects and want to know the benefits of measuring Social Emotional Skills
Learn from the best
Advisor Templeton World Charity Foundation
Diego Catalán Director of Research Hello Insight
Education Coordinator for the Adolescent Area NGO Comunidad Perú
CEO of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs
Director of Education and Programs
Coschool
Director of Youth Programs YMCA Bogotá
Advisor Templeton World Charity Foundation
Ellen Morgan is the Principal Advisor for the Global Innovations for Character Development initiative of Templeton World Charity Foundation. She supports the identification, development, and evaluation of high-potential research and implementation projects that seek to nurture character strengths globally.
Previously, she supported Grand Challenges Canada’s Global Mental Health innovation program and contributed to the 2017 Lancet Commission on Mental Health and Sustainable Development. She has also worked with Médecins Sans Frontières in the Democratic Republic of Congo and as a policy analyst for the Government of Canada.
She is pursuing a DPhil in Social Policy and Evidence-Based Intervention at the University of Oxford on the impact of poverty and social inequalities in early childhood and holds an MPhil in Development Studies (Oxford) and BA in Geography (University of British Columbia). Ellen currently lives in Costa Rica.
Education Coordinator for Adolescents
NGO Comunidad Perú
Juan Chong Ortiz holds a Master’s degree in Health Sciences with a focus on Sports and Physical Activity from Tsukuba University in Japan, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. He is also a certified Sports Technician. He has collaborated in various sectors of social development with institutions such as the World Bank, IFC, IDB, and UNICEF, among others. Until recently, he was the Coordinator of Community Sports Projects for Latin America and the Caribbean with the International Paralympic Committee. Currently, he is a professor at the Faculty of Administration at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) and the Education Coordinator for the adolescents’ area at the NGO Comunidad Perú, which works with migrant populations from the jungle of Peru in Lima.
Director of Education and Programs
Coschool
Nicole Bruskewitz is an educator by vocation and training. She has worked with children, adolescents, university students, and adults in the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. With nearly 20 years of teaching experience in various settings—including classrooms, forests, boats, gyms, beaches, and neighborhoods—her research and consulting interests in education focus on the emotional aspects of learning, particularly emotions and motivation. She loves people, dogs, food, adventures, and children. Currently, she is the Director of Education and Programs at Coschool, a Colombian company dedicated to innovation in education and socio-emotional learning in Latin America (www.coschool.co) and a Fellow at Acumen Academy Colombia.
Director of Research Hello Insight
Diego leads the research team at Hello Insight. His work has focused on improving social and emotional learning programs since he served as a school counselor in Chile. Before joining Hello Insight, Diego conducted research on how, when, and for whom social and emotional school interventions work.
CEO YMCA Latin America and the Caribbean
Antonio Merino is the General Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs (YMCA LAC). With over 20 years of experience in international development and social impact, he focuses on creating innovative youth-led strategies and programs to address structural inequalities. Previously, Antonio worked for YMCA of the USA in Chicago, leading international capacity-building initiatives and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Global Inclusion strategies. He has extensive volunteer experience, including frontline program delivery in Mexico and the USA and a six-month internship with YMCA of Lebanon. Antonio holds a Law Degree from Universidad La Salle, a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University, and is an alumnus of Harvard’s Executive Education program in Nonprofit Leadership. He also teaches International Relations at Universidad Anáhuac.
Director of Youth Programs YMCA Bogotá
Diana is a mother of an 8-year-old girl, a social worker, and a specialist in leadership for social management from Universidad Javeriana. She is also an aspiring master’s candidate in community development management from YMCA University Mexico. She has been part of YMCA Bogotá for 11 years and has served as the Director of the Youth Area for the past 6 years, leading projects aimed at the social and economic empowerment of youth in vulnerable conditions in Bogotá, with additional training in gender, new masculinities, peace, and more.
Testimonial
“For our organization, measuring the outcomes of psychosocial support with verifiable data has been eye-opening. These data demonstrate the impact of our actions and facilitate resource mobilization. They also support the systematization and development of new intervention techniques. For our teams, the results are a valuable tool that allows them to recognize changes and improve their professional practices.”
Learn more about the adaptation process of Social Emotional Skills Measurement in Lima, Peru, and Bogotá, Colombia.
Evento impulsado por YMCA Latinoamérica y el Caribe
We are a team of individuals who inspire, facilitate, and connect the 25 YMCAs of Latin America and the Caribbean to increase our relevance, social impact, and sustainability.
