What are the Stumbling blocks for Youth Participation in Decision Making process in your country?

[Deogratias Munishi]

Dear friends in this chamber, I understand that we are situated in different backgrounds and we all agree that there is a very minimal youth participation in decision making process in our
countries.

If this is a problem, I understand that the background for this must differ and it is good to share and if possible we may share ideas to produce the way forward.

In my country, youth form 33% of the total population but all decisions affecting their affairs are largely made by elders in the parliament and ward councils. And sometimes our affairs may be
put aside as there are no people who real bare concern and if any, it is not
with such required strength.

The idea that youths are always undisciplined when powered used to exist in Tanzania but now it has started vanishing as few youth in such bodies have proven it wrong. The attitude that Youths should be reserved
for tomorrow’s nation has been strongly opposed by we youths in Tanzania and it
is slowly disappearing.

What has stood to be the major obstacle now is our constitution specifically for youth who want to run for presidency during elections as only individuals above the age of 40 are allowed. We
believe a person with 30+ years can run the country as a president and this is
a youth. It should be remembered that the first president of Tanzania, the late
Mwalimu (Teacher) Julius Nyerere was 31 years old.

The financial position of youths when it comes to elections is always very weak as tycoons with hail of money to run for different post and the mentality of many citizens here is he who has
money can lead people well. However, this can be solved by those who understand
the tactics and scientific methods and techniques for running any election

I think there is a great need for our organizations to Identify those potential youth who aspire for leadership in our societies and help them how to organize themselves scientifically. In
2005 Tanzania” general election my organization organized a training program
for young politicians who aspired for that election and we came to observe that
90% of those succeeded compared to those who just participated without such an
insight.

Cameroon is on the way to hold an election likewise Liberia. Ugandans have started their elections campaigns and Kenya will hold its election in 2 years to come. People from those countries
come out and share with us on this.

Deogratias Munishi

Dar es Salaam

Tanzania

 

 

 

[Daniel George]

Warm greetings from PNG!

I read with concern and saddened that legal controls are imposed on Intending youth candidates viaing for public seats with regards to age. Any youth who is eligible to vote should also be allowed to stand for elections

I also agreed with you that money depicts the status of the intending candidate and not necessarily the quality of his leadership. Here, PNG citizens often misintepret the purpose of elections and are also ill-informed of the power they possess as citizens, hence, continuous civic education is currently a tool that we are focusing.

Regards,

Daniel George (Danny)

[Deogratias Munishi]

Dear Daniel,

Thanks for your information.

Could you please release the age limit to run for any public post in your country and that limits youth?

As in the case of Tanzania Youth can only run for parliamentary and ward posts and not that of presidency as it is reserved for those aged 40+ while 21 + years for youth for the said posts.

The question of money and leadership got a new face in the recently held election as money in some constituencies proved nothing to financially weak youth candidates

Deogratias Munishi
Dar es salaam
Tanzania

[Daniel George]

Belated near year greetings Deogratias! My apologies for nto replying to you sooner as I have been on rec leave since then and had very limited access to internet...

 

Papua New Guinea is not a Unitary Republic but rather a Constiutional Monarchy with the Queen of England as the Head of state and the Governor General (GG) as her representative in country. The Head of Government is the Prime Minister who is elected and dismissed by the GG himself on the proposal of the parliament.

 

The Prime Minister into elected into office by other elected members of Parliament that constitute the largest Political Party within parliament. Hence, the general public do not have a say in who will be the next prime minister, but can safely say they do so indirectly through their elected member of parliment.

 

Intending candidates are generally allowed to stand for elections as long as they are no younger then the eligible voting age of 18 and have reached grade 10 in their academic history.  

 

Intending youth candidates have stood for elections but have failed mainly due to unpopularity and trust by the general public saying they are inexperienced. Also, this view is held strongly due to cultural obligations intending that society would normally end up voting for cultural leaders who are of chieftancy descendance.

 

Furthermore, finance does have a strong impact that influences peoples decision, hence, bribery in the form of conducted ceremonies for the public have many a times resulted in people electing candidates for their pockets than their personalities.

 

Hope that helped alot...