Charlotte Griffiths’ Post

Youth participation in decision-making processes is essential for progress and empowering the next generation. The African Youth Charter emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal access for young men and women to participate in decision-making and fulfill civic duties. It calls for prioritizing policies and programs that promote the effective participation of youth in society. Research shows that while many governments have taken steps to facilitate youth participation, such as through national youth councils and parliaments, youth remain largely invisible in decision-making processes at both the national and multilateral levels. Young people have repeatedly voiced their frustrations with current arrangements, wanting their input to be taken seriously and to be engaged throughout the decision-making process, not just when decisions are being announced. Effective youth participation can lead to better decisions and increased efficiency, as policies and programs designed with youth consultation are more likely to be effective. It also strengthens community capacity, contributes to positive youth development, and enhances an organization's relationship with young people. To enable meaningful youth participation, organizations must demonstrate commitment, create space for youth involvement, and foster a youth-friendly environment. This includes offering real roles and relevant issues, valuing youth contributions, and providing information, orientation, and timely feedback. By empowering youth and understanding their perspectives, we can create platforms for the next generation to lead and contribute to decision-making processes. Engaging youth in this manner not only prepares them for future leadership roles but also ensures that their unique insights and innovative ideas shape the policies and programs that affect their lives and communities. African Union SADC Secretariat Makerere University Rotary Peace Center Rotary International United Nations IYCS-JECI International Young Catholic Students (IYCS) - Africa Lesotho Council of NGOs Examinations Council of Lesotho #SDGs #AfricanYouthCharter #Youths #Participation #Inclusion #Peace #Dialogue #ConflictTransformation #QualityEducation #Empowerement #Students #Africa #Lesotho #Nothingforthemwithoutthem #Inclusive

🔍 Occasional Paper Release: Assessing the Implications of the Pending National Youth Development Bill 📜 We are pleased to share our latest occasional paper, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the pending National Youth Development Bill and its potential implications for youth development in Lesotho. This paper is a crucial resource for understanding the potential impacts of this bill on our youth and the future of youth development in the country. 🌍 Key Highlights of the Paper: Exploring Potential Losses: Our paper delves into the possible adverse effects of the pending bill, highlighting areas where progress might be reversed and where existing gains in youth development could be undermined. We examine how proposed changes could impact various aspects of youth empowerment, education, and employment opportunities. 📉 Assessing Regresive Trends: We provide an in-depth analysis of the bill’s provisions, identifying which aspects could potentially lead to setbacks in youth development. This includes evaluating the implications for funding, program implementation, and overall support for youth initiatives. 🚫 Highlighting Key Gains: In contrast, we also analyze the gains that have been achieved in youth development thus far and how the bill could potentially affect these advancements. This section emphasizes the importance of preserving and building upon existing successes in the field. 🌟 Recommendations for Improvement: Based on our analysis, we offer constructive recommendations aimed at improving the bill to better serve the needs of young people in Lesotho. Our goal is to ensure that any legislative changes contribute positively to youth development and address the challenges effectively. 📈 This paper is the result of extensive research and consultations with key stakeholders in the youth sector. It aims to inform policymakers, civil society organizations, and the broader public about the potential implications of the National Youth Development Bill and advocate for a balanced approach that supports the holistic development of youth. We encourage you to read the paper and engage with us as we continue to work towards effective and inclusive youth policies. Your feedback and support are invaluable in shaping a future that truly empowers our young people. 📥 Read the Full Paper below Together, let’s ensure that the legislative framework for youth development in Lesotho reflects the needs and aspirations of our young people. #YouthDevelopment #PolicyAnalysis #NationalYouthDevelopmentBill #Lesotho #CivilSociety #YouthEmpowerment #CampaignForSocialJustice #Advocacy #Research #PublicPolicy

The rising interest and investment in youth engagement across the United Nations has been truly inspiring. A lot of great work has been done and countless young people have benefited personally and professionally. But our latest report from UNICEF Innocenti Youth Engagement and Strategy Team is an eye opener. It reveals a crucial truth: we still have a LONG way to go to make this engagement truly meaningful—ensuring it is sustained, impactful, fully financed, and fairly compensated. This report is a must-read for the UN family and anyone serious about authentically involving young people in their work. It’s packed with insights drawn from youth voices and includes a step-by-step guide on how to engage them effectively and meaningfully. Check out the full report here and see how we can all do better: https://lnkd.in/gDT4xxcX #meaningfulyouthengagement #youthengagement #youth

🎉 In celebration of International Youth Day, looking forward to speaking at the AFS Youth Assembly later this week at the UN Headquarters in NY. 🚀 According to the UN, there are today 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. By 2030—the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—the number of youth is projected to have grown by 7 per cent, to nearly 1.3 billion. 💡Young people are not just our future—they are our present. They are on the frontlines of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to global conflicts, poverty, and displacement. Yet, access to equitable education, employment, and health remains a distant dream for too many. The time to act is now. Let’s empower our youth with the opportunities they deserve and ensure a better world . #YouthEmpowerment #Changemakers #GlobalChange #Equity #FutureLeaders

Here is a beautiful publication with a question that was longing to be tackled :) Kudos to the team that made it happen. Question is though, will all the good recommendations & insights actually reach those who define & drive the attitudes, i.e. decision-makers who more often than not operate from the position that all of it is simply not important, at least to say. And beyond reach, if there is no institutionalised youth (& gender) mainstreaming, shall we rely on seldom enthusiasts from within the system, to try and implement the recs? Food for thought: 🚩 "most participants usually came from major cities, had gone to university (mainly prestigious universities), spoke English and often had some professional standing" 🗣"They are often confronted by political pressures and the demands to align themselves with their government’s stance on different issues" Both insights are easily explainable with the concept of *representation*. It is super problematic to me that 'youth representative' is expected to legitimize inclusion of youth voices, although almost never these people represent anything but own lived experiences, skills and at most organisation that delegated them (which is very fine but its not substantive representation). So, why would their input be seen as anything more than a focus group at best (tokenism aside), even if a super informed one? In addition, in many multilateral fora where presence of young women and men is connected to country representation, and moreover if their mandate is tied to a national institution, how is to be expected that they not align with the entity that takes them to this space? (As effectively they do not represent youth, but the entity that mandated them) Another side of the coin would be to also ask, why these young ppl so rarely feel confident to make waves from within the entity that gave them the spotlight [or 'Master's tools will never dismantle the master's house'? ;)]. Would be also interesting to know at what rate young people who are not pursuing careers in this context: know that some (other) young people partake, if they feel represented or have any wish or stance re their own participation in these spaces or representation of their interest. Finally, pity that the report offers no insight on gendered realities of meaningful youth participation. I bet there would be much to unwrap :) p.s. Situating my comment: I am thinking outloud here from the perspective of both young woman who was partaking in these contexts (representing myself, a country or organized youth), but also of a professional who was enabling such participation... and at least was trying to walk the talk.

Happy International Youth Day! Across the globe, young people are stepping up to address the challenges of our time, from climate change to social inequality. Their innovative ideas and bold actions are not just shaping the future—they're transforming the present. When I look around my community, I see the future taking shape in the hands of young people. There's Ewura Adams Karim who started Maltiti Foundation to help young women thrive in local communities of Northern Ghana. He didn't wait for the government or an NGO; he just saw a problem and decided to fix it. And then there's Banasco Seidu Nuhu who turned his love for coding and digital literacy into a platform that teaches young girls and boys how to build apps—apps that solve real problems in their communities. There’s also Dr. Amanda Bayeh who’s impactful work through the Amanda Foundation is driving positive change in rural communities. These stories aren't just happening in my backyard; they're happening across Ghana, across Africa, and the world. Young people aren't just talking about change—they are the change. From climate action to social justice, youth are at the forefront of movements that are transforming the world. On this #International #Youth #Day, let's celebrate the spirit of youth—their creativity, resilience, and unstoppable drive to make the world a better place. Because when the youth lead, the world follows. #InternationalYouthDay #YouthLeadership #SustainableDevelopment

📰 New Article Alert 📰: "Exploring the effectiveness of youth outreach programmes: the case of Singapore" by Soojin Kim, Kai Jun Tay, Clare Jing Wen Ong, and Assel Mussagulova, Ph.D. Abstract: In recent decades, some governments have sought greater youth participation in government and public life. This study examines Singapore’s efforts to foster youth participation in government-led community service projects, public conversations, and opportunities for citizen feedback. Using a mixed-methods design that combines a survey questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, we explore the effectiveness of these government outreach programmes in the eyes of youth themselves, and whether they meet the government’s goal of promoting the active and engaged participation of young Singaporeans over the long term. We find that while local youth value the opportunity to participate meaningfully in governance, they also critique the government-led youth participation initiatives as top-down, choreographed, and inauthentic, saying that the views expressed therein do not sufficiently represent youth in Singapore. They also suggest feasible strategies to achieve genuine, inclusive youth participation in the public decision-making process. Link: https://lnkd.in/dEvdu6De

House of Representatives, National Assembly Official Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *House of Representatives Celebrates Nigeria's Youth on International Youth Day 2024,* - _Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Development_ *Abuja, FCT – Monday, August 12, 2024 –* The Nigeria House of Representatives extends heartfelt congratulations to Nigeria’s youth on the occasion of International Youth Day 2024. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” resonates profoundly with the legislative priorities of the 10th House of Representatives. With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 35, and approximately 110 million young people aged 15-34, the youth are a vital force driving our country's future. Recognising their potential, the House is committed to empowering young Nigerians as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development. In alignment with this commitment, the House introduced Agenda 6 on Inclusion, which focuses on integrating youth into national development processes. The establishment of two dedicated committees – the Committee on Youth Development and the Committee on Youth in Parliament – in July 2023, further exemplifies this commitment. These committees play a crucial role in addressing youth-related issues and ensuring that young Nigerians have a voice in legislative matters. At a recent Town Hall Meeting with Youth Groups and Organisations, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, reinforced this dedication. announcing the House’s commitment to engaging with the youth biannually. An initiative that aims to facilitate ongoing dialogue, ensuring that the concerns and ideas of young Nigerians are integrated into legislative processes. In a special message to young Nigerians, Speaker Abbas, notes that "the 10th House, under my leadership, has prioritised youth-oriented legislation and will continue to give issues affecting Nigeria's youth the utmost attention that they deserve." He also urges the youth to remain patriotic and law-abiding, while seeking their belief that Nigeria would succeed. Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development, Rep. Esin Martins Etim (PDP, Akwa Ibom), further stated: “Aligned with our Legislative Agenda, we are resolute in advocating for a youth-responsive budget to strengthen youth empowerment and broaden access to vocational and technological training. Our commitment is to formulate policies that advance digital literacy and open up opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive in an increasingly digital world." Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC, Oyo), adds: “The 10th House of Representatives is dedicated to providing economic opportunities, fostering inclusion, and enhancing youth participation in governance...