|
|
| Resolving the conflict between African traditional concept of seniority and the current notion of youth involvement in decision making process. |
 PRINTABLE VERSION |
Human history has shown that youths are a vital force in development; thus it is essential to empower them by equipping them as individuals, youth organizations, communities, and international actors to participate in policy and decisions making that affect their lives and well-being. Despite the overwhelming evidence in favour of youth involvement in decision-making as a vital force in national development, yet in Africa, there are some traditions, which often work to exclude youths from discussions and decision-making processes even on issues, which affect and afflict their well-being. One of which is the notion of age or seniority. In most Africa societies there is an age long hypothesis, which states that: "old age is wisdom”. Here wisdom becomes a function of age, to be young in an African context, sometimes means being stupid, unintelligent and foolish. Little wonder children and young people are often barred from some family/public meetings even when issues that affect them are being discussed. This trend constitutes a major hindrance to African development in order to enhance youth participation in decision-making and involvement in development; we must find a way of resolving the conflict between traditional concept of seniority and the contemporary notion of youth involvement in decision-making, thus, the call for Re-socialization and Empowerment. By re-socialization we mean re-orientation. Adults should be re-socialized on the need to change their stereotype and prejudice about youths and support the current effort to integrate youths in decision-making and development on the other hand we must continuously work to empower youths. This empowerment must come in different levels.
Educational Empowerment: The state and stakeholders must ensure that youths have access to qualitative education formally/ informally. Qualitative education should not be a function of how much you can pay. Qualitative education should not be given to the highest bidders. We advocate free education at least to the secondary school level. In addition, we believe that negative stereotypes about youth can be challenged and ultimately altered by an army of educated youths with a more diverse mix of knowledge and exposure.
Economical Empowerment: We must ensure that youth have access to good employment and those who have employment are well paid and well protected by laws from exploitations and all form of discrimination.
Social Empowerment: We must create condition that encourages young people to be more socially aware, play greater role in civic society, and develop strong critical thinking and communication skills. This condition includes provision of social amenities (not only in the cities but in rural areas). The state and stakeholders should also provide institutional support for youth organizations. Youth organizations help youths to be connected, organized, acquire information, and to be engaged in global communication on issues affecting them and overall development. This development helps empower the voices of persons and populations that are otherwise ignored or marginalized in public debate.
Political Empowerment: We must ensure that youth are fully mobilized and encouraged to participate in political process. Young people should be allowed by electoral laws to vote and be voted for. We support the current call by young Nigerian professionals for generational power shift in the nation’s body polity. Politics should not be the exclusive reserve of old generation politicians who have over stayed their welcome in the political arena. African body polity is in dire need of youthful individuals with fresh ideas, innovators, "boat-rockers" who are not afraid to dance with change.
Legal-Rational Empowerment: Finally there is a need to empower youths legally through legal education. Young people must be exposed or made to know their fundamental rights even at a primary school level. The state must ensure that the fundamental rights of youths are adequately catered for by the constitution. There should also be provision for youth to seek redress when their rights are infringed upon. In addition, some laws that hinders youth participation in development should be expunged from the constitution and new ones enacted to reflect the ideal of our time and make for greater participation of youths in policy and decision making process.
About the author
Omeire Edwards (Nigeria) is a sociologist, a social worker; a youth right activist and a peace educator. He serves as the Programme Director of Ceasefire Project. He also serves as resource person for a number of community-based organizations. He is currently pursuing his post graduate degree in sociology (bias in gender studies) at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
CEASEFIRE PROJECT is a youth led community-based organization that seeks to promote strategies designed to educate, empower and integrate youths in peace building, health, governance and social change.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
omeire edwards
This user has not written anything in his panorama profile yet.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
