✌For too long the story of Africa's youth has been one of waiting to be cast free. Often young people are referred to as "leaders of tomorrow," but this is a subtle way of delaying their leadership in the present. But the truth is that Africa is the youngest continent in the world. The future is not so far away; it's here, and it's young, with more than 60% of its people under age 25. The issue is not whether young people are going to make a difference for the nation, but how they are doing so now. They must do so, not in exchange for any privilege; it is a vital component of sustainable development, good governance, and lasting peace.
👥Changing the lens: from passive beneficiaries to active partners of the United Nations.
I now find out that planning has been largely top-down, and youth have been regarded as recipients of plans made by others. This method does not make use of the special abilities, talents, and fresh ideas that youths have to offer. This means a change in mindset is needed to achieve any real national progress. Rather than as the passive beneficiaries of development, countries need to acknowledge youth as key actors and as active partners in problem-solving.
Involving young people in decision-making processes, as part of local community councils, national parliaments, or policy design workshops, often leads to more innovative and relevant solutions. A young person who has been brought up with mobile technology knows the digital economy in a new way than an older generation does. A young farmer already experiencing the direct effects of climate change on his/her crops has firsthand experience to influence the development of more effective agricultural policies. Their lived experience is a type of expertise that cannot be replicated and is essential to formulating policies that will work.
Driving Economic Innovation and the Digital Frontier.
Economic innovation is one of the greatest ways youth can drive national advancement. Young Africans are not only creating jobs; they are waiting for them. From Lagos to Nairobi to Kigali, continentally, the tech hubs and innovation centers are teeming with young entrepreneurs tackling local problems.
They have also implemented mobile platforms to deliver financial services to the unbanked, built agritech apps to facilitate farmers' direct access to markets, and are building health tech solutions to increase access to medical advice in rural areas. The surge of entrepreneurship isn't about single success stories; it's about a healthier and more diversified economy. Governments can leverage youth-led businesses by providing them access to finance, mentorship, and supportive regulatory frameworks to turn a problem of high youth unemployment into a huge opportunity for economic dynamism and growth. It's the youth who provide the energy for the economy of the modern world.
To improve governance and democratic accountability
Good governance is essential for national progress, and so too is youth participation. Young people are a force for accountability and transparency when they are politically engaged. Young people who know their rights and civic responsibilities are more likely to hold their governments accountable for providing better services, hold their leaders accountable, and engage in the electoral process.
큣💭Often they are the loudest voices of opposition to corruption and injustice. Digital activism among young people is a contemporary approach to civic involvement that can illuminate issues that may not be otherwise known. Incorporating youth into governance bodies, whether as youth advisory councils or as cabinet members, is an opportunity for countries to access a youth who is highly motivated for the future. They are the ones who will be living the consequences of the decisions made in today's day and age, and therefore their inclusion is not only a democratic ideal but also a necessary prerequisite to establishing stable and legitimate institutions.
Building Peace and Social Cohesion
The threat of conflict and instability continues to hinder progress in many areas of Africa. Children and youth are the most vulnerable to violence, and they are also the most powerful agents of peace. Frustration, when denied economic and political opportunities, can be used to stoke a conflict. On the other hand, when the youth are involved in positive conversations, vocational training, and community development, they can be powerful agents of peace.
Youth-led peacebuilding efforts continue to show that youth can help to overcome ethnic and religious differences, promote reconciliation, and prevent violence from spiraling out of control. Their capacity to create networks and to communicate across boundaries is a much-needed ability in establishing a more integrated and stable society. Peace is a prerequisite to national progress, and sustainable peace is achieved by the active involvement of the youth in building it.
Investing in education and skills for the future.
Youth engagement needs to be backed by investments in quality education and skills development to be meaningful. Education must break free from the mold of rote learning to stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and computer literacy. Students must be prepared not only for the current jobs available but also for the jobs that are not yet even conceived for the future.
This involves investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, but it also involves investing in vocational and technical education, which gives skills. It involves empathy for the soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Most of all, it is building opportunities for lifelong learning and enabling young people to constantly adapt and upskill to meet the changing demands of a world that is transforming at an unprecedented pace. This is the investment that underpinned the success and innovation of a thriving country.
Eliminating barriers to participation.
While there are opportunities for young people in Africa, there are a host of obstacles to participation. They include access to capital, mentorship, and networks; a lack of support from the legal or policy environment; and an attitude of society at times to discount their contribution when they are needed. These obstacles are shared.
Governments need to develop an enabling landscape for young business owners and citizens. Leaders from the private sector can mentor and invest. There are platforms for training and advocacy available to civil society organizations. And families and communities can foster and appreciate the contributions of their young members. Progress towards the nation is a collective effort. We're insightafricatoday blogspot #insightafricatoday
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