The International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12
each year to recognise efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global
society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively
involved in making positive contributions to their communities.
Globally, the situation of young people today is characterized by
extreme disparities in terms of economic, technological, social and cultural
resources, which vary enormously across regions, countries, localities and
population groups.
Looking at Africa, according to the Economist
Magazine, six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies between 2001 and 2010
are in Africa. The International Monetary Fund says that between 2011 and 2015,
African countries will account for 7 of the top 10 spots.[i]
One wonders if African youth have a place in this realisation.
African Monitor notes that amidst this clear progress, there is reason
for real concern about whether the opportunities that Africa has at its
disposal will lead to significant development and progress in African nations
and real changes in the lives of the poor including youth. There is strong
evidence suggesting that Africa is at risk of missing the current opportunity
because of a number of factors; one of these factors is the failure to convert
Africa’s demographic advantage which is young people into a dynamic economic force.[ii]
Beside the development cited above, the
majority of African youth continue to face different challenges such as
exclusion in development and peace initiatives and processes at national,
regional and continental levels; lack of skills or quality education; limited
access to economic opportunities; unemployment; lack of access to
health-related information and services, etc.
According to UNESCO, despite youth
constituting more than half of the population in many countries, governments
rarely consult young people on matters affecting their lives, such as strategy
for poverty reduction efforts. Even those governments that have
developed legislation on youth issues often lack comprehensive and holistic
approaches to the challenges faced by the younger generation. A progressive
national youth policy obliges traditional decision-makers to not only work for
young people, but with them in order to let their experiences inform the
development of appropriate interventions and services.[iii]
Addressing the Stellenbosch University students about
“the potential of African students and youth in light of the Arab Spring” in
August 2011, Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa pointed out that
ousted Presidents Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak had clung to power
far too long, and had enriched themselves at the expense of their people, who
suffered under the burden of poverty and unemployment. Furthermore, President Mbeki said that at the
same time as the ruling groups in Egypt and Tunisia were enriching themselves,
millions among their people faced challenging socio-economic conditions,
characterised by high rates of poverty, unemployment, and an unaffordable cost
of living.
“This meant that not only were millions languishing in poverty, but also
that the situation was made worse by glaring disparities in standards of living
between the rich at the top and the poor at the bottom of the proverbial
pyramid”, President Mbeki added.
Youth should
know how to recompense those leaders who are busy accumulating wealth, enriching
their families like in the recent election in Senegal whereby the former
president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade who opted to build luxurious monuments and
linking his palace to the airport and yet thinking that youth will vote for him.
He lost to President Mack Sall.
Reflecting on
what many governments have done, we would agree that youth issues are yet to be
a national priority in many African counties. As the former Anglican Archbishop
Njongo Ndungane, the President of African Monitor said, that “in his numerous interactions with the poor
across the continent, the loudest voices heard are grassroots communities who
say they do not want hand-outs. Rather, they want the opportunities and
capabilities to eke out their own livelihoods.”
Faced with the
challenges of the 21st century, young people are confessing that local,
national and international systems of decision-making lack concrete avenues for
sufficient participation. While traditional social and political systems
continue to fail to offer representation or successful solutions and meaningful
opportunities for youth to contribute to their world and future, young people
will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence and missed opportunity.
It is of
paramount importance that young people become the custodians of their own development,
partake fully in citizenship duties, and contribute towards the economic
development of states and Africa as a whole. Youth needs to voice their concerns/inputs through
platforms which are available such as national youth councils, ministries
responsible for youth and others in order for them to make a valid contribution to decision-making
regarding their well-being.
Africa’s Youth
should take a leading example such as the Ugandan
youngest MP in African history, Miss Proscovia Alengot Oromait, 19 year old,
despite her young age who didn’t shy away for contesting a seat in the Ugandan
parliament. She believed in herself, she won and she now sits in Ugandan
parliament where she contributes to shape the laws of her country.
Youth shall do whatever it takes to take part in
finding solutions to the problems facing them; they should take example from
the Pakistan girl, Malala Yousufzai, 14- years old, who was recently nearly
killed for speaking out for girls barred from school by the Taliban.
“African Youth can make a difference, what
they need is recognition and active backup.” As said Jean
Philbert Nsengimana, the Minister of Youth and ICT in Rwanda who is also of a
younger generation. By harnessing young people’s energy into a positive
movement, the whole of Africa stands to gain. As we celebrate the International
Youth Day on 12 August, let all of us support African young people so that they grow into
empowered adults who raise more generations of productive and powerful leaders.
[iii] UNESCO’s Contribution: Empowering Youth through national policies,
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001345/134502e.pdf
