Youth vision for development, by Cesar Da Silveira, Researcher and Programme Assistant Peace
Education and Conflict Resolution Angola 2000
As country in a post conflict situation, Angola faces many challenges ranging from providing infra
structural for the rebirth of the industry and agriculture, to ending decades of mismanagement of
public funds. However, the biggest challenges are in the creation of a true democracy in the words
of the democratic movement Campanha Para Uma Angola Democrática (Campaign for a Democratic Angola).
A true democracy will cure the wounds left by the conflict. It will reconcile and unite the people
helping us to forgive each other and start taking responsibility and positions for the countries
reconstruction.
The conflict that lasted for 27 years left the country almost completely destroyed a very high rate
of illiteracy; unemployment and Poverty are some of the consequences of the long conflict. Taking
this into account, it is not difficult to understand that the problems which this conflict brought
affect youth in a very dramatic way since 56% of the total population is under 18 years old.
In an armed conflict young people are the first to be remembered but when it comes to development
policies and social integration governments often do not fulfill their promises and obligations
especially in Angola according to government opponents. The Angolan government does not have an
official youth policy and the system itself makes impossible for young people to have access to
education, health and employment. The result of such behaviour as we might guess is catastrophic.
Lacking alternatives, young people often involve themselves in crime, drugs, alcohol and
prostitution thus mutilating the country's future and possibilities of sustainable development.
Young people in Angola have few alternatives to survive and often they are held responsible for
their present situation. It is common to hear elders say that young people are lost because of
the way they dress or behave. The fact is that the lack of government development policies and the
massive involvement of young man in the conflict created many of these problems. According to the
Angolan Minister of Education there are more than three million young people out of the educational
system fact that creates problems related to qualification to get jobs and those who had the chance
of studying or get some professional qualification are struggling with the incapability of the
government to create jobs. Another big problem is the fact that most companies normally prefer to employ
people with some experience thus decreasing young people's possibilities of getting jobs.
In the past two years, youth issues have been calling for attention and space in the country's
political and social agenda. Many civil society organizations have changed policies paying more
attention to these problems. A youth national council was created and the government is preparing
the official document, which will regulate all policies, and decisions related to young people.
In addition, the fact that young people are seeking alternative sources for education and employment
is also a signs that young people in Angola are gaining conscience of the importance of their energy
and strength.
Despite all problems threatening Angolan youth development it is clear that they have
realized that young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow and if we want to change the present
situation we must start changing the minds of young people. Therefore much still needs to be done to
involve young people in the resolution of their conflicts and build their capacity to improve their
chances of actively and positively contribute in the countries reconstruction.
The current situation calls for immediate action that is why I decided to create an action plan
that could both involve young people in the reconstruction and reconciliation process and at the
same time provide technical assistance and guidance to face the challenges of a post conflict
country. Basically the idea is to create a space to gather young students where they will council
disfavoured young people struggling with the day to day running of their activities in several
didactic or professional areas and at the same time gain working experience for when the time to
get the first job comes. This will help young people realize that the responsibility of
reconstructing the country is of every Angolan as well as the government that is why it is so
important to empower and involve young people and provide skill to secure a sustainable future
for very Angolan.
This idea which was developed at the OIYP is aimed to respond two big challenges haunting thousands
of young people in Angola which are Education and unemployment. I've identify 6 key areas which in
my view are a priority such as Psychology, Law, Business Management, accounting, Education and
Music. The centre will have one young student finishing their studies, working three hours a day
as volunteers for each area which I've identified.
They will counsel and guide youth who had no chance of getting any formal education thus unable to get jobs, create jobs or generate any kind
of income or need any other type of problem the Centre is equipped to resolve. In return the
Centre will lobby for internships, scholarships and jobs and at the same time while practicing
the skills they've acquired during their studies, they will gain working experience which shall
be endorsed by the Ministry of Employment and Public Security.
In my view the key to any successful democracy is participation especially young people's
participation since we are the lungs whish enables Africa to bread. We have proved that when we
went to war, now it is time to show that in our century, the century of the African renascence
we can be proactive participants for positive change in our communities.
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