Youth & Democracy: In whose interests are they engaging?

Written by Mujuni Baitani

In the past few days, I have been attending World Movement for Democracy Conference which has been happening in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania prepared by Generation Democracy, National Endowment for Democracy, National Democratic Institute’s, African Movement for Democracy and International Republican Institute, having participants all over the African States. The conference Agenda,” Strengthening Governance in Africa: Building a New Generation of Democratic Political Leaders”. Throughout the conference different Youth issues were raised, capturing my mind and interest were steamy issues such as “Youth participation in democracy”.

Youth participation in democracy is too broad, which reminds me of the democracy experts Lijphart and Verba who widely argued that “citizen’s political participation is the heart of democracy”. Though, many democracies in the world are to varying degrees challenged by unequal political participation between different citizen groups within their societies. Youth participation in democracy has been about engaging in politics and power. This has also been an interesting issue of the systematic unequal level of political participation between different age-groups even race that is increasing in many African states. This can be considered as one of the democracy’s unresolved dilemmas largely eating the African States.

Learning from each other, country representatives shared their initiatives on how youths are engaged in Democracy. It was such an amazing discussion but I found myself more curious to know more especially to whose interests Youths of Africa are engaging in Democracy.

Youth in 21st Century are prevailing the way from the old generation but this cannot be credited as to why they are more engaging in democracy.

With that doubt in mind; I decided to speak to different participants, from South Sudan. One of the participant shared that Youth in South Sudan still have a long way to go because engaging in democracy is merely for political interests and not for serving the community. I was not ready to go for what I heard I decide to ask another friend from South Africa, Ohhh!! The gentleman was so open, he said Youth back in his country are engaging in the democracy not just for their own interests but as a tool for learning and making use of leadership skills. They believe time has come for them as the new generation to start preparing to run for public offices, hence engaging in community transformations.

It was much of a workshop and an interaction event, but through different interactions I discovered that I had a common answer for the question; whose interests are Youths engaging in Democracy.

“Youth in Africa today, believe that time has come for them to be more responsible to help solve the problems facing their states. Being involved in democracy will help them develop authentic values and approaches for solving the problems and ensuring the faith of resolution, development, and stability withstands in every African Youth”

In a nutshell engaging in democracy from different participants perspectives meant the power of convictions and the power of Young Africans taking initiatives in changing what they see as a problem in our continent, rather than complaining and not taking actions.

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