58 > Next Generation Myanmar Focus group discussions Ten focus group discussions were conducted, each lasting around three hours, with snacks, tea and coffee provided. Appropriate venues were identified and rented as necessary. Discussions were semi-structured, conducted in accordance with a prepared questionnaire while also allowing follow-up questions and off-topic questions to encourage free-flowing discussions. Participants Each focus group discussion included between five and 11 participants, each selected according to either a geographic or topical logic (sex workers were interviewed in Yangon, for example). Participants were sourced through existing youth networks, including through CDNH’s youth networks, and through the British Council’s Millennium Centres. In selecting participants, the research team ensured those selected represented various demographic groups (gender, age, wealth, location, ethnicity, etc.). Key informant interviews Twenty key informant interviews were conducted, allowing the consortium to further explore in depth the perspectives of key individuals with regards to the topics chosen for further research. Each key informant interview was semi-structured and lasted about an hour. They were typically carried out in connection with focus group discussions. Participants were selected to maximise the amount of information collected per interview. Informants were typically youth with particular insights into particular areas of youth life. In some cases, participants were individuals who emerged as particularly informative during focus group discussions. Special attention was paid to ensure a diverse range of genders, ages and religious backgrounds were included in key informant interviews. Data collection 3: youth policy workshops Alongside the qualitative data collection, youth policy workshops (YPWs) were conducted. The consortium convened one-day policy workshops in five of Myanmar’s states and regions, each with about 20 youth representatives participating. Together with the research team, these participants were invited to contribute to the analysis of emerging findings from the study. While initially the youth policy workshops aimed to use findings from both the quantitative and the qualitative data collection tools, delays in the implementation of the project meant that the findings that were analysed during the YPWs were mainly from the quantitative survey. The research team facilitated discussions among the youth representatives, leading to the identification of concrete policy recommendations aimed at different levels of government, as well as other actors and – not least – youth. The research team ensured a diverse group of youth representatives were selected to participate in the workshops. Representatives were selected from CDNH’s wider network, from a variety of backgrounds, as well as through the British Council Millennium Centres. The diversity ensured each workshop resulted in a rich discussion of different policy preferences. The policy workshops were facilitated by technical expert and field manager Constant Courtin and deputy team leader Morten Nygaard Christensen, with simultaneous translation provided by CDNH staff.

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