Sebastián León-Giraldo

This project aims to understand the attitudes, aspirations, and challenges faced by young people in Colombia, particularly in the context of the country’s post-conflict recovery and ongoing social changes. The research examines key themes such as education, employment, political engagement, and social trust among Colombian youth.

The study reveals insights into how young Colombians perceive their identity, their trust in institutions, and their role in the country’s future. For instance, a significant portion of young people express strong national pride and optimism about their potential to contribute to societal change, despite facing numerous socio-economic challenges. The findings suggest that young Colombians are keen to engage with global opportunities and are hopeful about sustaining the fragile peace achieved in recent years.

As a research assistant on the Next Generation Colombia project, I was responsible for the qualitative component of the study. My work involved conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups with young people across various regions of Colombia. This qualitative approach provided rich, detailed insights into the personal experiences and perspectives of the youth, complementing the quantitative data collected. The findings from these qualitative analyses were crucial in shaping the overall conclusions of the study, highlighting the voices and lived realities of young Colombians.

This project not only contributed to a deeper understanding of the youth’s role in Colombia’s future but also emphasized the importance of including their perspectives in policy-making and development strategies.