Participation Of Young People In Governance Processes In Africa

Active political engagement requires the youth of today to begin their journeys now to be leaders of tomorrow. Young individuals are instrumental in providing valuable insight into issues locally as well as on a national and international level. Participation of Young People in Governance Processes in Africa examines the role of young peoples’ involvement in governance processes in Africa and demonstrates how they are engaging in active citizenship. There is an intrinsic value in upholding their right to participate in decisions that affect their daily lives and their communities, and the content within this publication supports this by focusing on topics such as good citizenship, youth empowerment, democratic awareness, political climate, and socio-economic development. It is designed for researchers, academics, policymakers, government officials, and professionals whose interests center on the engagement of youth in active citizenship roles.

The 2021 edition includes input indicators on public finance and employment; process indicators include data on institutions, budgeting practices, human resources management, regulatory governance, public procurement, governance of infrastructure, public sector integrity, open government and digital government. Outcome indicators cover core government results (e.g. trust, political efficacy, inequality reduction) and indicators on access, responsiveness, quality and satisfaction for the education, health and justice sectors.

"Title page"--"Legal and rights"--"Foreword" -- "Acknowledgments" -- "Executive summary" -- "Part I. Conceptual framework and inventory of youth programmes: A guide for policy makers" -- "Chapter 1. The conceptual framework of youth programmes" -- "Chapter 2. An inventory of common policies and programmes for youth" -- "Part II. Youth policy design and advocacy: A technical guide for policy analysts" -- "Chapter 3. Measuring deficits in youth well-being (Module 1)" -- "Chapter 4. Establishing a profile of disadvantaged youth (Module 2)" -- "Chapter 5. Assessing the broader youth environment (Module 3)" -- "Chapter 6. Evaluating the impact and cost-effectiveness of youth programmes (Module 4)" -- "Chapter 7. Measuring the costs of well-being deprivation (Module 5)" -- "Chapter 8. Engaging youth in policy-making processes (Module 6)

This paper carries out a critical investigation pertaining to youth participation and empowerment in Africa using Zimbabwe as the case study. Youths have generally been neglected in critical decision making processes in Africa and beyond. They have been relegated to the role of mare spectators and not as active contributors to decision making processes. Failure to involve youths in decision making and development at both Local and National levels is a sustainable development threat as it works against the spirit of National continuity and Ubuntu. If youths are involved in decision making and development, sustainable Local and National development is a guaranteed reality as youths are well braced with the techniques of running modern day organisations in this digital era. A common statement linked to sustainable development in the African proverbs circles goes like "Youths are the leaders of tomorrow" which shows why youths should fit in the current leadership and management challenges for the destiny or fate of the nation rests in youths. An unescapable reality is that failure to empower and involve youths is an enemy of National continuity. Several factors have been identified by the research as the hindrances or obstacles to effective youth participation in Zimbabwe. These includes age restriction in participating in politics, politicisation of youth participation, unsupportive legislative frameworks, stereotyping youth participation and empowerment, intolerance by the elderly to integrate youths into key decision making processes and lack of support for each other by youths themselves to mention but a few. In face of these challenges associated with lack of youth empowerment and failure to make them active participants in decision making , this paper recommends a paradigm shift which entails a change of perception by elderly in their view towards youths. They have to view youths as accompanies in the Local and National development drive and not as a hostile segment of the society or as lazy people who are always into crime and drugs. Also there is need to revisit legal frameworks in order to mainstream youth empowerment issues. This research fuses both qualitative and quantitative research designs. Three main sampling techniques were used for the purposes of this research and these includes simple random, convenience and judgemental sampling techniques. Research information was collected using primary data sources (interviews, questionnaires, observations and focus groups) as well as secondary sources which are mainly the already existing literature pertaining to youth empowerment and participation issues. Data was presented and analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively using graphs, tables and critical analysis and discussion of the presented information. The research therefore hits hard on one of the current and topical issues that needs special attention from relevant authorities.

What is the place of young people in society today? This book presents a searching and comprehensive picture of youth, demonstrating both its diversity and singularity, and helping to dispel many of the myths, discriminations, stigmas and prejudices attached to this segment of society. Drawing on a vast empirical research exercise including over 8000 interviews and 40 focus groups in eight metropolitan areas of Brazil, this book explores the most important aspects of young people's social participation and the resulting challenges for public policy. With clear resonance beyond Brazil, this research is designed to inform youth policy strategies in the developing and developed world.

Questions surrounding democracy, governance, and development especially in the view of Africa have provoked acrimonious debates in the past few years. It remains a perennial question why some decades after political independence in Africa the continent continues experiencing bad governance, lagging behind socioeconomically, and its democracy questionable. We admit that a plethora of theories and reasons, including iniquitous and malicious ones, have been conjured in an attempt to explain and answer the questions as to why Africa seems to be lagging behind other continents in issues pertaining to good governance, democracy and socio-economic development. Yet, none of the theories and reasons proffered so far seems to have provided enduring solutions to Africa’s diverse complex problems and predicaments. This book dissects and critically examines the matrix of Africa’s multifaceted problems on governance, democracy and development in an attempt to proffer enduring solutions to the continent’s long-standing political and socio-economic dilemmas and setbacks.

Local governance comprises a set of institutions, mechanisms and processes through which citizens and their groups can articulate their interests and needs and mediate their differences. The participation of citizens in governance is one of the underlying components of democracy. Engaging citizens in the act of governance engenders transparency, improves accountability and public resource management and brings about good policy outcomes, development and the social well-being of citizens. When done effectively, it encourages inclusiveness and cohesiveness, speeds up problem-solving through community initiatives and generally improves the effectiveness of local authorities. This Report is an exploratory study which adopted various strategies to try to understand the issues, perspectives and results from citizen participation in local governance across various countries and regions in Africa.