Youth’s Time at the 2012 Mo Ibrahim Forum!

 For the first time at the Mo Ibrahim Forum, youth had the spotlight.

November 0 7 - 12, 2012, I was privileged to be part of the Youth Delegate  shortlisted, following a rigorous and competitive selection process, to represent the youth-led development agency, RestlessDevelopment at the 2012 Ibrahim Forum in Dakar, Senegal.

Attended by over 400 high profile guests from civil society, youth-led organisations, government, business enterprises, UN and multi-lateral institutions from across the world; African [world] leaders discussed in depth on how to address some of the most pressing issues pertaining to African youth, that is youth employment, education and civic participation; with emphasis on how to transform youth energy into meaningful use.  

My time spent while in Dakar, as a restless youth delegate trained by Restless development is an experience never to forget. It was fun, empowering and transforming.  And above all, was the opportunity I had to share experience with youth activists, engage with some high profile persons across Africa as well as adding my voice in the debate on how young people can bring about social/community good.

Even after all, the question remains – how youth employment and education be improved?  

Do young people have the necessary skills and knowledge to compete at the global scale? Yes! The time is now to translate youth potential into meaningful use.

The Ibrahim Forum is an annual high profile discussion meeting, which brings high profile guests across Africa and the world; to discussed and debate about Africa leadership and democracy.  The forum over the years has awarded prizes for achievement in good leadership and democratic governance to African Heads of States. Previous laureates include President Joaquim Chissano (2007), President Festus Mogae (20008) and President Nelson Mandela (Honorary). Though in this year’s forum – no Africa Head of State was qualified to win the Mo Ibrahim prestigious award. However, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu received the 2012 honorary award for speaking and standing for truth and Justice. 

Y0CEN community Outreach

 Wednesday, 12. 12.12, members of the group Y0CEN took the maiden step and reached out  to over 150 young women and men, sensitizing them on their civic rights and responsibilities towards democratic practices in Cameroon with emphasis on them registering for elections 2013.

The whole idea of the community outreach was to rebuild youth confidence in the 2013 twin elections; Municipality and Parliamentary, encouraged them to register  and make sure they vote. And so far it is one of the first person-to-person civic educations led by youth for youth in Cameroon.   

It’s no doubt that youth voters turnout over the years has dropped.  According to the Mo Ibrahim Good Governance Facts and Figures, 2012, reveealed that less than 50% of African youth, cameroonian in particular has confidence in the honesty of the elections.  56% are more interested in current affairs with urbans youth having greater interest than rural youths, ironically, 37.7% use TV as the secondary source of information.

Y0CEN, created 2012 is a youth-led Civic Education Network, composed of unique group of youth activists and leaders from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and NGOs here in Cameroon, which aims to promote young people’s civic rights and participation in democracy practices.

Y0CEN believes that young people are active change agents. They make the impossibilities possible. And thus it’s important that young people take the frontline to shaping their community for good.  But in doing so, youth must be empowered with the knowledge to make informed choices.  

What Y0cen observed?

The observation gathered is that many young persons felt connected with y0cen team. They could share their fears and worries without feeling intimidated. Though many had not registered yet for the elections but assured to register and vote. As usual, some still lack the willingness to register.  Meanwhile to those who have registered, many said they did it just because they saw people registering or because their parents asked them to register. Y0CEN sees lack of election enthusiasm among the youth. 

What y0cen recommends?

Y0cen sees the urgent need for more community engagement, a door-to-door sensitization before the registration deadline in Feb 2012. Yocen urges more youths network to join the movement to encourage young people to register and vote in the elections.  

 Y0CEN is apolitical and doesn’t receives funding/supports from any political party. Y0CEN is niether a campaign party but a youth-led civic education network. 

For more information about Y0CEN...

Visit Y0CEN on Facebook here  or twitter @Y0CEN 

faces behind y0cen at: Fonge Peter, Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo , Jude Thaddeus ZoFem