Food for thought
• Fruitful policy implementation results from diverse stakeholders whose values and interests may be different. This policymaking process can only succeed if stakeholder dynamics are decisively addressed. Agenda 21 makes it clear that young people are major stakeholders and should be involved in designing and implementing appropriate environmental policies.
• Policies that safeguard green jobs are quite critical for the wellbeing of African youth and should be rooted in sufficient data. Data outcomes of practical research from young scholars can be communicated to decision-makers and influence the implementation of legislation.
• In order to hold policymakers accountable, youth can use their demographic dominance to ensure that political considerations do not push policymakers to substitute effective policymaking with symbolic action.
Students engaging in birdwatching at Kibaoni Village, United Republic of Tanzania
6.4 The potential of young scholars to trigger green legislation
Scholars play a crucial role in fuelling innovation, national development and economic growth (Nicolaides 2014). Scholarly work has provided knowledge that helps policymakers to clearly see the delineation between what works and what cannot work effectively.
Unfortunately, in Africa, there is not enough investment in research (Kumwenda et al. 2017), weak intellectual property protection mechanisms (Sikoyo, Nyukuri and Wakhungu 2006), ineffective ways of disseminating research results, and few opportunities for collaboration and networking (Sawyerr 2004; Kumwenda et al. 2017).
Young scholars are often isolated from legislative decision-making (Gyimah-Brempong and Kimenyi 2013). For example, during most climate negotiations, African countries often send very small national delegations that are rarely inclusive of youth (Richards 2001). As discussed in the World’s Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and beyond (United Nations, Economic and Social Council 1995), supporting young participation in formulation of policies should be given high priority. In any development agenda, youth should be at the forefront at all levels of policymaking and development planning (Mengistu 2016). This will enrich the debate and policy dialogue, and encourage other young people to participate more fully in their nation’s development (United Nations 2006). Finally, creating young professional programmes can help overcome setbacks that might hinder young scholars from participating in decision-making because of lack of practical experience.
Youth Action 27: Youth groups catalysing blue economy jobs, Seychelles
With the increasing threats of climate change particularly to SIDS, like Seychelles, effective environmental management policies are crucial to the protection of our coasts. NGOs like the SIDS Youth AIMS Hub (SYAH) and Wildlife Club of Seychelles (WCS) are youth groups playing a major role in empowering and building capacities of young people. They promote participatory governance and provide a platform for young people to actively engage in conservation action and sustainable development decision- making processes nationally, regionally, and globally. Through groups like these, young people are being given a voice and opportunity to contribute towards change.
In 2015, SYAH launched a successful local campaign to ban plastic bags - a major cause of pollution particularly on the coasts of Seychelles’ outer islands. The campaign was applauded regionally and supported by numerous local organisations including the government. This achievement and other projects led by this group brought the government and the private sector together to form collaborations, and act on pertinent environmental issues. The ambition and success of this youth group also attracted funding opportunities namely from the British Embassy which granted them a substantial amount of funds to execute a Blue Economy Internship Programme (Belle 2018). This internship has had three effective programmes which have helped to train over 50 young people. These programmes were implemented with the aim of inspiring young people to take up a career in ocean-based economy and to encourage them to identify gaps, and propose ways to bridge those gaps, through innovation within the blue economy sector.
While the term blue economy is relatively new, it is not a new concept to Seychelles which has been benefiting from ocean resources for more than
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Youth Potential for Green Policies
Cosmas Ngoteya
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