Malawi launches two youth strategic documents
Mkandawire(L) franked by NYC ED (M), Chapota & NPL DG Munthali
The government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports has launched the National Youth Council of Malawi strategic plan and the Malawi 2063 youth engagement strategy.
The two strategies have been launched in Lilongwe during the opening of the three-day 2024 national youth summit which is being held under the theme; “A renewed commitment to youth development towards Malawi 2063.”
Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire described the two documents as key in youth empowerment and inclusion towards the achievement of the Malawi 2063.
He further indicated that his Ministry is working with various stakeholders to ensure that youth involvement in governance and other spaces for inclusivity is guaranteed.
“While at the national level, we are working on various initiatives to address youth challenges, I call upon all young people in Malawi to be part of the solutions to challenges,” said Mkandawire.
Meanwhile, the United Nations resident coordinator, Rebecca Adda Dontoh has challenged the government and other stakeholders to ensure that necessary steps are taken to uplift the lives of young people.
According to Adda Dontoh, Malawi’s population is youth-dominant with 60 percent under the age of 35 but are rarely involved in the implementation of most of the activities and programmes.
She cited the high unemployment rate and dwindling levels of financial opportunities among others, as some of the major issues that need to be addressed with urgency.
“For Malawi to achieve its 2063 blue print, young people have to be at the centre of everything in the spirit of nothing for them without them,” said Adda Dontoh.
In his remarks, the Executive Director for the National Youth Council (NYCO) Rex Chapota reiterated the need for young people to be incorporated in addressing issues affecting them, and to be involved in activities that promote their well-being.
He observed that some gaps need to be addressed by concerned stakeholders to ensure that youth empowerment and involvement are beyond podium rhetoric.
“Young people deserve to be involved in every decision-making process because they are the future of Malawi and if we are to have good leaders in future, the time to make them is now,” said Chapota.
Weighing in his views on the same, National Planning Commission Director General Thomas Munthali has called on government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to involve young people in all governance and decision-making processes.
He further indicated that the creation of an enabling environment for young people to take leading roles in the development of Malawi is key in ensuring that the Malawi 2063 agenda materialises.
“Young people should not only be beneficiaries of government policies and programmes but should be part of the processes because they are no longer the future leaders but present ones,” he said
The three-day summit has brought together young people from different parts of the country with various youth organisations and interested stakeholders taking part.
It is expected that during the summit, participants will bang their heads and discuss challenges and solutions to emerging issues affecting young people.
About The Author
