The initiative, held under the theme "Empowering Marginalized Young People for Inclusion in Civic Space and Local Infrastructure for Peace (YPI)" project, is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and aims to equip media professionals with the tools to promote youth participation in civic spaces.
At the event, Amadou W. Jallow, Communications Coordinator, ActionAid International The Gambia, explained that at ActionAid, they firmly believe that sustainable development and inclusive governance can only be achieved when all citizens especially young people are actively involved in decision making structures.
This commitment, he said, is deeply rooted in their Country Strategic Paper VI, particularly under Strategic Priority 1: Recognition, Promotion, Protection, and Fulfillment of the Rights of People Living in Poverty and Exclusion (PLIP & Exclusion).
“We recognize that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of today. Their voices must be heard in national dialogues, policy formulation, and civic engagement. Therefore, we are committed to empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and platforms needed to actively participate in governance. We achieve this through initiatives that strengthen youth leadership, provide capacity-building, and support advocacy efforts that promote greater youth inclusion.”
However, he maintained that to engage youth to partake in meaningful development is not the responsibility of one institution alone, but rather it is collective efforts to complement those of the Government of The Gambia in creating an enabling environment where young people have the space, tools, and opportunities to thrive.
“Through partnerships with civil society, the media, and other stakeholders, we amplify youth voices and ensure their contributions influence policies that directly impact their lives.”
On his part Landing B. Sanneh, Chairman of the Mansakonko Area Council, also shared his council’s vision for promoting youth and women’s participation in civic spaces, further describing the initiative as timely.
Sanneh thus advocated for youth inclusion in decision-making processes, while also making reference to challenges such as limited capacity and environmental factors that often hinder progress.
“As we promote inclusion, let’s use our platforms to send these messages to young people so they can act and participate,” he urges.
Alieu Ceesay, a beneficiary from The Alkamba Times, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and assured of responsible journalism.
