Innocent Katsande
Events in the past few months clearly show that our youths now want to be involved in policy matters of governance more than ever before. The young people now want to go further than just fit in. They want to participate than just care about

matters from a distance. It has shown that that youths want to practice and go beyond dreaming to make Zimbabwe work.

Young people now demand participation that is purposeful, supported and linked to outcomes, rather than inclusion for the sake of formality and that should be the new mode of governance in Zimbabwe.
This past decade has seen a growing recognition of the importance of youth participation in policy making. This has been driven by a growing consensus that youth participation in policy processes is not only a demonstrated value, it is a political right. Research clearly proves that efforts by Governments to engage youth have often led to better policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

Policy makers in different Government and indeed the constitution making process have to recognise young people as key and equal partners in the process of decision making.

It is high time young people through the Zimbabwe Youth Council be involved in the social development processes of their country and never leave anything to chance. This goes down to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC1989), which is the most widely ratified international agreement and unequivocally recognizes the importance of youth participation in policy making as a right for young people that cannot be negotiated.

Too often policy makers doubt the capability of the young thoughtful and committed citizens to improve government policies. Unfortunately they forget that indeed, it is the only age group that has ever been constantly and consistently contributing to this world through massive innovations that have changed humanity.
As such the African continent and indeed Zimbabwe can not choose ignore them if it is to create a better future for its people.

Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General once said normally when we need to know about something we go to the experts, but we tend to forget that when we want to know about youth and what they feel and what they want, that we should talk to them.
Keeping Copac in mind in relation to youth participation, our policy formulation process must include an attempt to assess as many areas of potential policy impact as possible, to lessen the chances that a policy will have unexpected or unintended consequences.

Undoubtedly by our domineering numbers, any policy in the country greatly affects the youth than any other age group, this is why this particular sector cannot be left behind when critical decisions of our society are being made.
The youth of today have come to a realisation that in this century the world has become dangerous to live in not really because of the people who do evil, but because of the people who sit and let it all happen. This is why as young people we cannot sit back as critical policy decisions, that have the potential of affecting our

lives, are being made.

Youths cannot let critical decisions on nation building be made without their full participation.
Stereotypes that youth cannot contribute to policy is a fallacy that needs to be eliminated, there has to be a creation of youth seats on corporate boards in every sector of industry and Government companies.

Young people must be involved early in the legislative process and not be dropped somewhere along the process, as is usually the case.
To maximize the participation of youth, there is a need for Policymakers to partner with youth organizations to ensure that young people are well prepared before they are placed in a policy meeting or hearing.

The following are proved ways of actively involving young people in policy-making processes:

• Involvement of youth in the drafting of bills,

• Inviting comments by youth on bills that have already been drafted.

• Creating youth seats on government boards, commissions, and task forces.

• Creating youth advisory committees to deliberate on a range of issues.

• Inviting youth delegations to policy conferences.

• Establishing annual youth hearings for each legislative committee considering teen legislation.

Recent Lessons from the European economic crisis especially Greece and its proposed austerity measures shows that developing policies without the appropriate consultative process involving all key stakeholders can result in interventions that are ineffective, unpopular, and ultimately very difficult to implement, regardless of their perceived merits.

Our young people are not uneducated unemployed and unemployable as many often imply, this means that we are not a fertile ground for manipulation but independent to stand on our own in representing our interest.
Therefore it is important that young people who would have been afforded the opportunity to participate in decision making represent those most affected by the decision taken.

Innocent Katsande is the Communications Officer for Zimbabwe Youth Council.