
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) decision to adopt the Youth Policy reflects its unwavering dedication to championing the rights and welfare of young people in the region. This policy serves as a comprehensive guide for member states urging them to prioritize equal opportunities and support for youth across all sectors.
It is common knowledge that IGAD is a regional organization in Africa that holds immense importance in promoting peace, stability, and development within the Horn of Africa region. The organization has come to acknowledge the critical role of youth empowerment and the necessity of prioritizing their rights and engagement.
By adopting this youth policy, IGAD is sending a clear message that they recognize the importance of creating an enabling environment for young people to thrive and contribute to the social, economic, and political development of the region. The organization understands that investing in the youth is crucial for long-term stability and sustainable growth in the area.
The adoption of the youth policy also highlights IGAD’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and equal participation of young people in decision-making processes. The organization recognizes that young individuals have unique perspectives, fresh ideas, and innovative solutions that can contribute to the overall development and peace building efforts in the region.
The adoption of a youth policy recognizes the potential and importance of the youth population as a valuable resource. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of young people, IGAD can create an inclusive and participatory environment that empowers them to contribute meaningfully to society. This policy allows for the fostering of youth-led initiatives, promoting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, which are vital for economic growth and development.
In actual fact, the policy recognizes the need to enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people. By creating an enabling environment for job creation and supporting youth-led businesses, it helps to reduce unemployment and foster economic growth. This not only promotes stability but also contributes to overall prosperity in the region. The adoption of Youth Policy by IGAD demonstrates its commitment to promoting the rights of young people and strengthening their engagement in all matters of the region.
IGAD’s Youth Policy encourages the active participation of young people in peace building, conflict prevention, and resolution efforts. It acknowledges that young people have the potential to become agents of change and play a significant role in building peaceful and stable societies. By involving youth in peace building initiatives, IGAD aims to foster a culture of non-violence and tolerance contributing to regional stability.
The development of a youth policy provides an opportunity to analyze and understand the unique needs and aspirations of young people within the region. It allows policymakers to identify the barriers and factors that hinder the social, economic, and political empowerment of youth. It also recognizes the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes at all levels.
A comprehensive youth policy has a transformative impact on the lives of young individuals by addressing their specific challenges and offering actionable strategies. This policy encompasses various dimensions including education, employment, health, participation, and social inclusion. By prioritizing these aspects, it paves the way for sustainable development and the realization of young people’s full potential enabling them to become active and engaged members of society.
The policy also addresses issues of social inclusion, gender equality, cultural preservation, and the promotion of volunteerism and community service. By recognizing diversity, respecting human rights, and providing equal opportunities for all young people, irrespective of their backgrounds or identities, it is possible to establish an enabling environment that values the contributions of every individual.
Besides, the policy provides a platform for sharing best practices, exchanging experiences, and fostering collaboration across borders. This facilitates the creation of networks that can collectively address shared challenges, promote cultural exchange, and build bridges enhancing peace and stability within the region.
A well-designed youth policy takes into account the multifaceted nature of youth empowerment. It recognizes that young people are not a homogeneous group but come from diverse backgrounds, including differences in gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and abilities. Therefore, a comprehensive youth policy integrates a range of approaches, initiatives, and programs that are responsive to the specific needs and circumstances of different groups of young people ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.
The adoption of a youth policy can help address social issues such as crime, violence, and radicalization. By engaging young people through positive programs and initiatives, IGAD can offer alternatives to negative influences and provide a sense of belonging and purpose. Creating platforms for youth dialogue, participation, and representation also allows their voices to be heard, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their communities and countries.
Participation and engagement of young people in decision-making processes and civic life are key components of a comprehensive youth policy. It recognizes the importance of youth voice in shaping policies and programs that directly affect them. The policy supports the establishment of youth councils, forums, and platforms where young people can actively participate, express their views, and contribute to decision-making at various levels.
To ensure the effective implementation of a youth policy, it is crucial to establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These mechanisms enable regular assessments of progress and impact allowing policymakers to make evidence-based decisions and adjustments to programs and interventions as needed. Monitoring and evaluation also hold policymakers accountable ensuring that the commitments outlined in the policy are translated into meaningful actions on the ground.
A comprehensive youth policy is of utmost importance as it provides a vital roadmap and action plan to empower young individuals within a particular region. This policy recognizes and addresses the unique challenges faced by youth, and offers actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles. By doing so, it ensures that the needs, rights, and aspirations of young people are effectively considered and integrated into policies and programs. This holistic approach promotes their overall well-being and enables them to contribute meaningfully to society.
By recognizing the potential of young people to contribute to peaceful societies, IGAD aims to involve them in conflict prevention, resolution, and reconciliation activities, fostering a sense of ownership and active citizenship among the youth.
The adoption of this youth policy serves as a reminder of IGAD’s responsibility towards future generations. By prioritizing the needs and aspirations of young people, IGAD demonstrates its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy that ensures a better future for the region characterized by prosperity, peace, and stability.
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has adopted Youth Policy with a view to promoting the rights of the youth and strengthens their engagement in all matters of the region, according to information obtained from Ethiopian News Agency.
IGAD held a landmark ministerial meeting towards the adoption of the IGAD Youth Policy in Kenya, Nairobi, on Wednesday.
It was indicated during the occasion that the IGAD Youth Policy is a crucial framework for promoting youth rights in the IGAD Region as it is designed to guide and mainstream youth priorities in policies, laws, and programmes aimed at empowering youth and ensuring their meaningful participation in political processes.
The policy is also believed to play crucial role for the development of a comprehensive roadmap and action plan to empower the youth in the region.
The policy has been developed through extensive consultations with Technical Experts responsible for Youth Affairs from member states, National Youth Councils, Youth-Led Organizations, and the IGAD Secretariat.
The ministers up on the conclusion of their meeting have issued a statement on the declaration of the adoption and implementation of IGAD Youth Policy Framework.
The ministers agreed to establish IGAD technical experts and ministerial committees on Youth Affairs as a platform to oversee, follow up, and periodically take stock of the progress of the implementation of the IGAD Youth Policy Framework.
They also called upon development partners, including the International Financial Institutions, to provide support to the IGAD Secretariat and its member states for operationalization of the IGAD Youth Policy Framework.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2023