Rural youth empowerment will be brought to the limelight at the upcoming From the Ground Up (FTGU) dialogue and documentary screening scheduled for 14 March in Windhoek.
Hosted by RuralRise, with sponsorship from the European Union under the ‘New Voices, New Narratives’ policy sprint, the event anticipates bringing together 50 stakeholders.
The dialogue with policymakers and screening of the documentary is the final activity of FTGU policy sprint, a programme which engaged over 144 rural young people from the Utuseb, Uis, and Okombahe communities in the Erongo region from August to September last year.
The project aims to strengthen rural youth voices in decision-making and advocating for expanded access to socio-economic opportunities.
According to RuralRise founder Eslien Tsuses, the screening and forum will not only highlight rural youth concerns but also provide a platform for rural youth to share their aspirations with policymakers.
“The project came about due to the need to stimulate active rural youth participation in decision-making platforms and to grow rural economies, thereby creating opportunities of employment and improved social development.
We believe that authentic youth involvement is the tool to sustainable rural development,” Tsuses says.
The forum will include interactive discussion with the key stakeholders, including Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, the Namibian Police, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and National Service, and other community leaders.
Project coordinator Victory April emphasises the importance of such forums in enabling rural youth.
“The discussion will not only give rural youth a voice but also connect them with opportunities for improving their livelihoods.
We are expecting that the documentary will stimulate action and policy changes that place the interests of rural youth at the forefront,” April says.
The documentary screening will feature stories of youth from the participating communities, showcasing their challenges, aspirations and contributions to rural development.
Youth and other interested parties who wish to participate in the event are invited to apply on or before 11 March. The online application form can be found on RuralRise social media pages.
FTGU is a component of RuralRise’s ongoing effort to create an inclusive society where rural youth can thrive.
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