As we celebrate International Youth Day on 12 August, it’s crucial to recognise the diverse cultural and legal challenges that young people face. Youth are often lumped together as one group, but in reality, they consist of various subgroups, each with its own unique struggles and opportunities.
Youth leadership and involvement bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to the table. Young people are vital for progress, driving economic growth, fostering social cohesion, and working towards sustainable development. The 2018 United Nations Volunteers programme reports that young people aged 15-35 are among the most active volunteers, contributing significantly to community development and humanitarian efforts. Yet, despite their importance, youth often find themselves excluded from political processes and face significant hurdles in education and employment.
Consider these eye-opening statistics: Around 1.8 billion people aged 15-35 make up nearly 23% of the world’s population. The majority of the 420 million youth in Africa are either unemployed, doing casual jobs or doing precarious work although these numbers vary widely from country to country. Despite their numbers, young people are underrepresented in politics, with only 2.8% of parliamentarians under 35 years old in 2023. These numbers highlight the urgent need for policies and programs that support youth participation, education, skills development, and youth-led projects.
In this article, we team up with AfriFOODlinks youth ambassadors to share their unique insights and experiences. Through their personal stories, they will highlight the specific challenges and opportunities they face and demonstrate their passion for leadership. By sharing their voices, we aim to show the diverse perspectives of youth and advocate for greater youth participation in creating a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.
Cultural and Social Challenges Faced by Youth
Young Africans often navigate between deep cultural traditions and a constantly evolving modernity, which can create tensions. For example, in Dakar, Abass Mbathie has had to balance the expectation to respect traditional customs with his desire to embrace new ideas. This conflict is particularly evident in education, where the importance of higher education can sometimes be seen as secondary to established cultural norms.
In contrast, Adel Azouni, living in Tunis, has faced a similar challenge but with a different nuance. He has struggled to maintain his individuality in a society where collective identity is often prioritised over personal freedom. This cultural tension has influenced his approach to leadership and activism, leading him to advocate for spaces where young people can freely express their unique perspectives.
These stories reveal that, while the youth of Dakar and Tunis face distinct cultural challenges, they share a common struggle to reconcile tradition with modernity and find their place in a changing society.
A Day in the Life: A Glimpse into Daily Experiences
The daily lives of young people in Africa are often shaped by family responsibilities and infrastructural challenges. In Dakar, Abass starts his day by helping his family before heading to school. In the afternoon, he works on small projects to contribute to the family income, while in the evening, he dedicates time to studying, despite obstacles like a lack of electricity or quiet study spaces.
Adel, in Tunis, faces a different but equally demanding reality. His day begins with a long and often unreliable public transport commute to university. This travel time, though exhausting, is offset by the value he places on university education, seen as a key to a better future.
These typical days illustrate how, despite daily challenges, young Africans strive to overcome obstacles to achieve their educational and professional goals.
Shaping the Future: Significant Life Events
The experiences young people go through play a crucial role in shaping their future aspirations. For Abass, a leadership programme in Dakar was a turning point. This experience not only gave him the confidence to pursue his goals but also made him aware of the importance of youth empowerment.
Adel, meanwhile, was profoundly influenced by the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia. Witnessing the power of collective action and the central role young people played in this movement inspired him to become more involved in activism and fight for change.
These events show how key moments can transform young people’s vision of their future, motivating them to take an active role in building a fairer and more equitable society.
Educational Opportunities and Career Aspirations
Education is a powerful tool that shapes the career aspirations of young people. Abass, in Dakar, sees access to quality education as an opportunity to realise his dream of becoming a doctor. He hopes to contribute to improving healthcare services in his community.
For Adel, in Tunis, scholarships and financial aid have been crucial in enabling him to pursue engineering studies. These opportunities have broadened his career horizons, allowing him to envisage a career where he can develop sustainable technologies for his community.
These educational journeys illustrate how young people use the opportunities available to them to pursue careers that not only fulfil their aspirations but also contribute to the well-being of their communities.
Leadership and Collaboration: The Voice of Youth
Youth leadership is essential for driving change within communities. Abass advises aspiring young leaders to stay true to their values and never be afraid to voice their opinions. For him, leadership is not just about holding a position of power but about making a positive difference.
Adel shares this vision by emphasising the importance of action. For him, leadership is not measured by titles but by the ability to take initiative for change. He encourages young people to start with the resources they have and to act to transform their environment.
Furthermore, global collaboration is a powerful tool for addressing common challenges. Abass highlights the role of technology in connecting young people around the world, allowing them to share ideas and co-create solutions. Adel, for his part, emphasises the importance of inclusive collaboration that reflects the diversity of voices and experiences of young people.
Impact of the AfriFOODlinks Project
The AfriFOODlinks project perfectly illustrates how youth-led initiatives can lead to sustainable change. In Dakar, Abass has witnessed the direct impact of workshops and training sessions on his community’s agricultural practices, improving the efficiency and sustainability of food production.
The AfriFOODlinks project perfectly illustrates how youth-led initiatives can lead to sustainable change. In Dakar, Abass has witnessed the direct impact of workshops and training sessions on his community’s agricultural practices, improving the efficiency and sustainability of food production.
Through these stories, it becomes clear that young Africans, despite their cultural, economic and social challenges, are indispensable agents of change.
Their leadership, commitment and collaboration point the way to a more inclusive, innovative and sustainable future.
As we celebrate International Youth Day, it is more necessary than ever to support their efforts and amplify their voices to build a better future for all.
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