Local Actors Achieving Positive Youth Development: A Case Study of Movimiento Comunal Nicaragüense

Abstract

Given that Nicaragua has lower levels of youth violence than northern neighbouring Central American countries, I discuss the strategies used by members of the Nicaraguan grassroots organization Movimiento Comunal Nicaraguense (MCN) to deter youth from youth violence. These include providing youth with recreational and educational opportunities, and with a supportive and empowering environment enabling them to be confident, compassionate, engaged members of society. These prevention-oriented strategies, which stand in contrast to the repressive tactics used in neighbouring countries, are supported by the literature on positive youth development, raising the question, how and why did MCN develop these particular strategies? I argue that the social capital that emerged at the time of the Nicaraguan Revolution may be a principal contributing factor to MCN's current perspectives and chosen strategies. Additionally, I explore how local actors are significant and capable of impacting their surroundings at a local, national, and potentially, global level.