Can club activities foster adolescents' citizenship in sub-Saharan Africa?: The evidence from the Good Neighbors' club in Malawi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of adolescent' participation in club activities on their citizenship in sub-Saharan Africa countries, specifically focusing on participation in Good Neighbors International's club activity in Malawi. For this, the Good Neighbors' Hope School Project Survey data were analysed through ordinary least squares and propensity score matching regression. The results showed that participation in club activities had a positive effect on improving adolescents' citizenship. This study also showed that school-related factors and relationship with others affect adolescents' citizenship. Based on this finding, the study concluded that participation in club activities can be understood as a process that connects adolescents with their lives and community problems or internalizes the global agenda, and it implies adolescents can grow up as global citizens through club activities in Malawi.