Empowering Youth in Governance: A Key to Conflict Prevention
By The Public Lens
Dr. Aleu Garang, Director of Political Affairs Mediation and Peacebuilding at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), emphasized the crucial role of youth inclusion in governance to prevent conflicts.
At the IGAD Governance Forum held at Kampala’s Imperial Hotel on September 24, 2024, Dr. Garang addressed representatives from IGAD member states, human rights advocates, and policy experts.
The forum aimed to exchange experiences on governance strengths, challenges, and emerging issues within the region.
Dr. Garang highlighted the significant challenges faced by the youth, who make up 60-70% of the IGAD population, including poverty, inequality, exclusion, and unemployment.
These issues are deeply intertwined with the region’s conflict, poor governance, and the effects of climate change.
“Youth and women should be effectively engaged in governance and decision-making as well as in conflict prevention,” Dr. Garang stressed.
He warned that if left unaddressed, these challenges will make the youth vulnerable to extremist recruitment, leading to instability that threatens the region’s prosperity, peace, and security.
According to experts, meaningful youth engagement in policymaking and decision-making processes is essential to prevent conflicts.
Youth participation in governance can reduce widespread civil unrest and promote peace building.
Effective youth engagement involves providing opportunities for young people to take part in planning, budgeting, decision-making, and policy-setting.
By empowering youth in governance, regions can tap into their potential to prevent conflicts and promote peace and security.
This approach is echoed in the United Nations’ Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda, which recognizes young people as indispensable partners in peace and political processes
