Organization:
Extreme poverty remains a huge challenge at international level and one that traditional education is struggling to solve. Another pressing challenge in the context of global education is solving the youth unemployment crisis, with 75 million people aged 16 to 24 currently unemployed. Therefore, it is more important than ever that they leave school not just with good grades, but armed with skills, knowledge, attitudes and values that will help them succeed. This unemployment crisis requires a change and transformation to give these youth an empowering environment for employability by bridging together educational sector and labor market. Strengthening cross-sectorial networking that create new opportunities for work based learning mobility. Consequently with belief that education is the key to tackling youth unemployment and poverty worldwide, in December 2009, International Transformation Foundation (ITF) was established by amalgated youth across East African countries and dully registered in Kenya on August 25th as an international, youth led, non-profit organization that provides youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs to harness creativity in youth an provide a system that provides jobs offering security, opportunities to grow and contribute to the development of communities.
Governance
The duties of the various management bodies within International Transformation Foundation (ITF) are determined by the laws of Republic of Kenya and the organization's governance policy and by-laws decided by the Board of Directors (Board). The ITF board is referred as the board of directors which is responsible for the ultimate governance of the organization and has legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities. The ITF board consists of 6 volunteering members and it has a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Other bodies such as Advisory board and Inspection Committee have an assisting and supporting role. The operations of the organization are coordinated by the Secretary General and volunteer members at the coordination secretariat based in Nairobi-Kenya. Day-to-day operational responsibility rests with the projects areas and assigned volunteer members with related task at the secretariat.
- Board of Directors (referred to as the 'The Board'): Responsible for the ultimate governance of the organization and has legal, fiduciary, and ethical responsibilities that include developing and maintaining the organization's mission and annual plans; raising and managing the organization's resources; providing operational oversight, determining policy, appointing and evaluating the Secretary General; and acting as ambassadors in the community. The ITF board meetings are held quarterly.
- Advisory Board: Chaired by elected Chief Advisor, the ITF's advisory board comprises of organization's sponsors, volunteers who passed the age of 30 and approved individuals. The Advisory Board's role is to provide all necessary advice to the Board of Directors.
- Inspection council: An independent committee of 4 people that scrutinizes how the organization is governed and that it is operating within its aspirations.
- Secretariat: The ITF's day to day operations are coordinated by the Secretary General and volunteer members at the Secretariat based in Nairobi.
The ITF Approach
A youth to youth empowerment to be able to identify issues of primary concern to them; to develop and implement youth owned strategies to face youth challenges.