The first-ever national land policy marking process was held at the NANA Conference Hall.
The consultation was aimed at engaging youth from various sectors in the policy-making process.
Abdou Touray, the consultant for the land policy, moderated the opening ceremony and introduced the keynote speakers.
He explained that the consultation was designed to involve young people in understanding land tenure, land acquisition in The Gambia, and the legal issues governing these processes.
The consultation featured various presentations on topics such as land use planning and management, the land tenure system and land acquisition.
Youth participation in policy-making processes is an action-oriented process involving young people in institutions, initiatives and decisions, and affording them control over resources that affect their lives.
The efforts made by young people to discuss issues of their choice, by adults to involve young people in community agencies and by youth.
Youth participation can benefit young people’s skills development, self-perception as a citizen, as well as policy design and implementation.
First, youth participation fosters transferrable non-cognitive skills and competences.
Civic participation promotes young people’s personal development and provides them with substantive knowledge and practical skills.
Empowering youth with full autonomy is the highest possible level of participation.
At this level of participation, young people have the role of leaders. Young people take initiatives and conduct projects on issues they identify themselves.
Through the different forms of consultation, policy makers recognise the value of youth opinions for policy-making.
Meaningful consultations need an adequate timeframe for young people to express their opinions and for decision makers to analyse, integrate and give feedback to the comments.
Youth can be consulted via deliberative polls, surveys, workshops, focus group discussions, public comments, public meetings, public hearings and national youth councils.
In his opening remarks, Alagie Jarju, the Executive Director of the National Youth Council, welcomed the participants and emphasised the importance of the consultation.
He noted that land issues have become a significant concern, especially for young people seeking to assert land ownership.
Dr Sowe, on behalf of the Ministry of Lands, officially opened the event.
He stressed that drafting a land policy without the involvement of young people would be incomplete, as they are the future leaders.
He further encouraged everyone to become advocates for the policy.
