GEO-6 for Youth: Africa


Ahmed Fathy


Capacity building can assist efforts in filling legislation gaps (Bentley, McCarthy and Mean 2003). It involves utilization of human and social capital towards development of capacities required to succeed in developing communities and countries (Bentley, McCarthy and Mean 2003; Blagescu and Young 2006). As such, young scientists could be provided with training opportunities to improve analytical and communication skills. This will require policymakers and scholars to adopt a participatory approach to empower partnerships to strengthen interventions of legislation (Blagescu and Young 2006). Developing a culture of decision makers and young scholars working together may lead to systems of working groups, creating legislation development advantages (Court, Hovland and Young eds. 2005). Associations between young scholars and decision makers can encourage peer learning, creating an environment for knowledge exchange (Keeley and Scoones 1999; Court, Hovland and Young eds. 2005). International organisations dealing with legislation implementation have realised the importance of policymakers making changes as a result of being part of a network led by scholars (Court, Hovland and Young eds. 2005). Effective legislation implementation entails connecting to a network of scholars to improve design, application, and knowledge, well in advance of operationalizing legislation (Neilson 2001).


ad-hoc approaches to attend small sessions including conferences and meetings can be exposed to great network linkages for the development of communities (Gemmill and Bamidele-izu 2012). Investing resources into young scholars contributes to the achievement of national and international development as well as long-term economic growth, wealth creation and poverty reduction (Blagescu and Young 2006).


Many environmental policy instruments in Africa provide for stakeholder involvement not just in making policies, but also implementing those policies. The extensive wealth of knowledge that these stakeholders possess contributes to good policies and strong execution of these policies. Such broad stakeholder involvement is however dependent on the availability of funds and strong leadership (UNEP 2016).


Need for more assessment on the efficiency of existing legislation


In 2017, Kenya banned the use, manufacture, and importation of plastic carrier bags, in a bid to protect the already choking environment from plastic bags. This ban saw a colossal reduction of plastic bags in the environment in Kenya. However, there have been challenges with the proper enforcement of the ban, with some parts of the country still having bags in circulation.


To gauge if environmental legislations in place are truly working to protect the environment, assessment of these policies should be done to determine their effectiveness and existing loopholes.


Youth are key stakeholders


Young scholars can assist with building the political will for approaches to development that integrate environmental and social goals (Gemmill and Bamidele-izu 2012). Affording young scholars the opportunity to fill the data gaps of green legislation can provide employment, exposure to networks, and structured support from partnerships (Jarvis, Ram and Varma 2011). Young people treated as credible partners and collaborators in policy formulation rather than through


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Young graduates have time, creativity, energy, and are cost effective. They can therefore be used as research assistants to help in gathering data as the basis of current legislation. They can also help locals understand the policies which in turn makes the adoption process of the policies easier. Moreover, young people are often tech savvy and can use some of this knowledge to make sure that environmental legislations are properly enforced. An environment must be created to allow them to make applications to assist in data collection to properly enforce the legislations in place. Additionally, this in itself becomes a job creation opportunity for youth.


Young people have a wide array of knowledge and skills that are needed in curbing environmental challenges. Making young people part of the policymaking processes could bring in a fresh breath of ideas that would help in proper policy implementation and enforcement.


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