"Information is the key to life. Without information, people do not have an agenda and simply accept what is said at the discussion table.” These were the challenging words of Mr Kennedy Walusala, President of the Regional Multifunctional Youth Forum at the opening of the 1st Eastern Africa Youth Conference (EAYC). The forum started on 9 February and came to a successful end on 13 February, 2011, at St Mary’s Pastoral Centre in Nakuru, Kenya. It brought together 80 visionary youth leaders from the Eastern Africa bloc (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somali and Burundi) and beyond, who are eager for a changed society, and are ready to explore change in their own lives as part of bringing integrity and positive changes in society. The forum also hosted friends of goodwill from Cameroon and the Action for Life (AFL) 5 team currently doing outreach in Kenya.
Sharing under the theme “Beyond me… It’s time to act!” the round-table challenged young leaders to take leadership and responsibility and encouraged transparency and accountability. Sub-themes that were explored included Economic Empowerment, Responsible Leadership and Social Responsibility. Through workshops (on Peace and Conflict Transformation, Entrepreneurship, Call to Action and Effective Communication), times of reflection, plenary sessions and a peaceful Call to Action procession through Nakuru town, the delegates were encouraged to look at their own hopes, fears and motivations, examine their relationships and challenged on their role in society.
Walusala, the Key note speaker, called on the young leaders to create a vision for Africa and run with it, reminding them that forefathers like Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Mzee Jomo Kenyatta - just to mention a few - fulfilled their vision to bring independence to African states. ‘What is our vision and what legacy do we want to leave behind?’ he asked. He also reminded the young visionaries that it is the small things that you do that change the world, not forgetting the need to have clear actions and time frames to achieve objectives that will lead to transformation of our region.
Mr Julius Khakula, the chairman of IofC Kenya, shared mind and heart challenging realities and wisdom with the young leaders. ‘Why has Africa not come round? How will Africa come round?’ he asked. And with much conviction, quoting from various sources, he continued ‘Africa can be just, Africa can be refuge for humanity, Africa is full of strength and compassion’
Among the pertinent issues identified as affecting the youth of Eastern Africa were Unemployment, Moral decadence, Ignorance/illiteracy, Poverty and Education system which is not relevant to the needs of the youth. Why is this? What is the problem? What needs to be done? Who needs to do it? When should it be done? The speakers together with the young visionaries were on an avenue to share, encourage and challenge each other on all these questions.
Well, many of us agree that there is lack of sound governance in the region which might be the cause of our problems, but there is more to these problems than just governance. “Let’s be realistic, let’s be honest with what the real problem is.” said Mc Fie. “We are lazy; we want money, just money!”, he continued. And for those who thought someone had to empower them, they were in for a revolutionalized thinking when Rachel Ajiambo from Uganda challenged, “No one can empower you, you only can empower yourself. Let’s have proper attitude towards work... develop proper work ethics…whatever you are doing, do it to the best.”
Having dreams and visions for the future is definitely important. George Gachara challenged the young visionary of their visions and current actions. “Is the ideal of your future society consistent with what you are doing now?” he asked. As if answering this question and challenging the youth to walk the talk, Dan Mugera, a young trainer from Mombasa, shared with lots of conviction “When I speak, I speak my convictions, my values and my beliefs and when I act, I act my convictions, my values and my beliefs.”
Over the five days, the young visionaries were making decisions and commitments that would mark a new beginning in their life and life styles. One young lady wrote ‘I have learnt for the first time to listen to the inner voice through reflection. And for the first time in my life I’ve gained inner peace and love from within, unlike before where I depended on family, relationships, and friends to give me peace and love.’
Yes, it was a time for reflection, realization, learning and insight. It was a time to start taking action as Winnie Isika expressed in her poem inspired by the conference;
…I am not without my faults,
A youth who chose before,
To ignore the ills happening around me,
See, I was convinced someone else would do it,
That my role, well, didn’t count for much,
Admitting I was wrong,
From this day I act on all I ignored…
As Mbindyo Kimanthi, one of the conference organizers and a participant of the 5th Harambee Africa Leadership forum, noted at a press briefing after the opening ceremony ‘…this gathering of think tanks could not have come at a better time, to re-ignite the commitment of young leaders in identifying and pursuing refined solutions for the places they call home. The need for honest, informed and responsible leadership has and will continue to be a key factor to Africa’s development; that’s why the up and coming generations must continue to be reinforced and sharpened in readiness to combat and conquer the various social, political and economic restraints being faced.’
The organizers of this conference envisage having an annual EAYC at least for the next eight years within the eight countries represented in the region. The next EAYC will take place on 7-12 February, 2012 in Uganda.
The organizers of the conference are grateful to the many people and teams who made the conference a success including the Irene Prestwich Trust, Australia IofC, Friends of Africa UK, Sweden IofC and IofC Kenya.
By Mbindyo Kimanthi & Ann Njeri
Download in PDF 1st Eastern Africa Youth Conference report
Download in PDF Key speech by Mr Kennedy Walusala
Download in PDF Call to Action Procession from St Mary’s Pastoral Centre to Nakuru Town by Mike Brown
Download in PDF My commitment poem by Winnie Isika
