Youth should influence public policy - by Ogone Thataone
Related Stories
Font Size
29 Jun 2010
YOUNG people constitute an important and significant part of the national population – over 70 percent are 35 years old and younger – yet th...
YOUNG people constitute an important and significant part of the national population – over 70 percent are 35 years old and younger – yet this is not reflected in their level of influence and inclusion in public policy-making processes.
Why the level of influence and inclusion is relatively low is an issue that needs to be investigated and subsequently answered with the urgency it deserves, as the current talk suggests that youth in Namibia are indifferent to politics.
Literature and commentators, however, cite the lack of adequate civic education, the effect of news media and the negative tone of political debate as causes of youth apathy, while others further suggest that youth apathy may be the response of young people to their political marginalisation and a culture that does not tend to value their input.
The perceived apathy shown by the youth in our politics and other social issues is a debateable topic, as there are many young individuals and organisations that dedicate a tremendous amount of their time and efforts taking part in political and non-political activities in our country.
It is true that the Namibian youth’s participation in political activities such as election campaign rallies were notable in the last presidential and general assembly elections. However, what must be questioned rather is whether the youth are notably influencing policy-making and policy makers, because it is one thing to take part in political or non-political activities and it is totally something different to proactively influence public policy.
So far the SWAPO Youth League (SPYL) seems to be the only youth organisation that has managed to visibly and significantly influence public policy in Namibia.
The SPYL held an Economic Transformation Convention on May 17, 2008, a platform that allowed the youth to interrogate the country’s political and economic policies, and has further on several other occasions challenged the government and private sector regarding education, youth unemployment and foreign investors.
In light of this and not being critical, but rather giving a wake-up call, one stands to seriously question the general objectives, functions and rationale for the existence of other youth organisations in Namibia with similar mandates.
Some political youth organisations only exist during election campaigns and hibernate until the next campaign, just to utter comments that lack substance, commitment in nature and which are very much suspicious.
The desire rather is to see these political, religious, cultural and enterprising youth organisations being more proactive in influencing those public policies that directly affect their constituencies and act on their own terms, rather than adopt the direction of entities that do not understand their concerns and aspirations.
It is rather hard not to think that some of the youth organisations have left this enormous and yet important task to the mercy of the SPYL.
They must understand that the SPYL political mandate, motivation and loyalty lies with the SWAPO Party, and it would be wrong to blame the SPYL for pursuing their political course, and hard to imagine them concerning themselves with religious matters and putting it on their top ten priority list.
So if individual youth organisations do not rise to the occasion and fight for their own interest by engaging government and the private sector regarding matters that concern them, and form their own public opinions and brands, organisations that are known to be dominant and enjoy a political majority will always have leading opinions on behalf of these organisations, and this will unconsciously, and wrongly so, be interpreted as the collective opinion of the Namibian youth.
It is on these grounds that the youth organisations should abandon their ambiguous and infrequent strategies when attempting to influence public policy and adopt a consistent, structured and pragmatic approach in order to make a sustainable impact on public policy.
The reasons why the youth should be included in policy decisions are immense and invaluable as youth apathy has implications for the development of public policy today and the quality of our citizens tomorrow.
There are policies in certain sectors that are specifically targeted towards the youth of this country, but the youth are ironically politically excluded from the process of policy formulation and its process up until implementation.
Education policy, youth employment policy and youth reproductive health policy, for example, which are targeted almost exclusively at young people, are a good example of their political exclusion.
No group is more greatly affected by these policies than those being educated, the unemployed or those infected by the HIV/AIDS scourge, yet the level of youth influence in that process ranks behind that of politicians, bureaucrats, parents and union leaders.
Furthermore, by including the youth in the policy decisions, it provides opportunities for the youth to build skills and learn from experiences that will serve them well throughout their lives; it combats cynicism about politics and politicians; gives a first-hand understanding of how the decision-making process functions; it strengthens civil society; and demonstrates the value of the public sector and public service.
On the other hand for the politicians, including youth in policy making would mean taking a better decision, and implementing it easily without the youth being an unnecessary impediment in the future.
Secondly; the politicians would be promoting an appreciation of the value of debate, lobbying and compromise in our democracy, and demonstrating the importance of the public sector in Namibia.
Believe this if nothing else: public policy and how it can be influenced can be a very complex and strenuous process; it requires that one has resources and perseverance at one’s disposal to assist in making a meaningful contribution and impact towards a particular policy.
But how can the youth play the necessary role in this complex and relentless environment?
We have in the past seen how some of the comrades were gruesomely victimized while trying to question policies or government decision. While we might not all agree on the strategy adopted by these comrades in the effort to influence policy, we all have to agree on one thing: they significantly influenced the eventual direction government took on these decisions and they must forthwith be encouraged to continue with this commendable work.
But what we need to examine here is whether that approach would work for all organisations, especially those that are not politically inclined or are a political minority.
The last thing a youth organisation wants is bruising some politician’s ego by having a public standoff in an apparent attempt in influencing public policy.
The very first step in influencing public policy is to understand the workings of government. If one does not understand the origins of a particular policy, the path is likely to follow possible process-impediments, such as reluctant politicians and bureaucrats, and it would be very difficult for a certain interest organization to effectively influence that policy.
It would be easier for some policies to be influenced, i.e. directly influencing the policy-makers, and it would be advisable to play within the political boundaries of the political process.
This does not mean sacrificing principles, but rather, learning how the system works, and the importance of timing, compromise and lobbying.
There is a visible trend where certain organisations would comment on a bill or policy paper that has reached advanced stages, or worse where it has reached the implementation stages.
So making statements or seeking an audience at that stage, even if an organisation means well, will only be frustrating the process initiators, drivers and eventual implementers, and they are most likely will not be listened to as everybody will be questioning their seriousness and commitment to that public policy and its process, so the concerned parties or organisations will need to have dedicated individuals, teams or even their seniors in parliament or government to inform or advise them on a regular basis so that they generally keep the focus and timing right.
Many youth groups seem to have a lack of focus, activities and a constituency. To be effective, youth organisations must recognise that they cannot be all things to all youth, but rather need to target their efforts and energies.
They must determine their mandate; and must outline their priorities and determine which activities best serve their mandate.
If the youth organisation is concerned with promoting entrepreneurship in the youth sector, it is rather important for that organisation to concern itself with youth and entrepreneurship rather than dwelling on political issues that can be best addressed by political youth organisations or vice versa
Some youth organisations suffer from the lack of a targeted strategy to communicate their message and activities.
The Acting Secretary-General of the National Youth Council Cde Mandela Kapere suggested that one method of getting messages to the desired audience would be through writing position papers on issues that affect the youth of this country.
Typically, these position papers will have to contain the official beliefs and recommendations of these respective organizations, and commonly such papers will substantiate the opinion or positions put forward with evidence from an extensive objective discussion of the topic.
Again, these papers will have to be characterised by consistency, objectivity, focus and mandate.
The National Youth Council of Namibia, as an umbrella body of youth organisations in Namibia and a major player in public policy decisions, can as its policy influence strategy encourage organisations such as the National Youth Service, the National Planning Commission, the Presidential Economic Advisory Commission, and the Higher Education Commission and many other boards/commissions as per their policies or legislative requirements, to appoint such youth based on the advice or recommendations of the NYC.
The NYC in turn, should recommend youth that are able, who understand the political youth environment and aspirations which the NYC represents.
This way, even though NYC will not be dictating to these youth or obligating them to answer to the youth council as this might not be a legislative requirement, at least the youth council would be content with the knowledge that they have seconded people who are more likely to understand and carry out the general mandate of the youth and most importantly, strategically influence public policy at that level.
As a broader strategy, since very often motions that are brought up in parliament and the National Council have their origins in the regions, youth organisations in the regions and constituencies can assist and advise their local leaders, such as chiefs, regional councillors, local councillors, governors and mayors.
Thus, by presenting information and facts to their respective leaders they will be making a policy impact at both regional and national level in a humble and noble manner.
Lastly, there are many other reasons why the youth must influence policy and how they can go about doing it. But what is important is that, as much as their political origins or ideologies are different, they must portray a genuinely united front when attempting to influence public policy in Namibia.
It should not matter whether it is SPYL, NYL, DYL or Young Democrats, they must all stand together and show the policy makers that when it comes to our country Namibia, the policies that are designed to shape our future must be influenced by the youth today and not tomorrow.
• Ogone Thataone is an executive member of the Ikopeleng Youth Association. He is a member of the NYC National Executive Committee, but writes in his personal capacity.
Back to Top
Why the level of influence and inclusion is relatively low is an issue that needs to be investigated and subsequently answered with the urgency it deserves, as the current talk suggests that youth in Namibia are indifferent to politics.
Literature and commentators, however, cite the lack of adequate civic education, the effect of news media and the negative tone of political debate as causes of youth apathy, while others further suggest that youth apathy may be the response of young people to their political marginalisation and a culture that does not tend to value their input.
The perceived apathy shown by the youth in our politics and other social issues is a debateable topic, as there are many young individuals and organisations that dedicate a tremendous amount of their time and efforts taking part in political and non-political activities in our country.
It is true that the Namibian youth’s participation in political activities such as election campaign rallies were notable in the last presidential and general assembly elections. However, what must be questioned rather is whether the youth are notably influencing policy-making and policy makers, because it is one thing to take part in political or non-political activities and it is totally something different to proactively influence public policy.
So far the SWAPO Youth League (SPYL) seems to be the only youth organisation that has managed to visibly and significantly influence public policy in Namibia.
The SPYL held an Economic Transformation Convention on May 17, 2008, a platform that allowed the youth to interrogate the country’s political and economic policies, and has further on several other occasions challenged the government and private sector regarding education, youth unemployment and foreign investors.
In light of this and not being critical, but rather giving a wake-up call, one stands to seriously question the general objectives, functions and rationale for the existence of other youth organisations in Namibia with similar mandates.
Some political youth organisations only exist during election campaigns and hibernate until the next campaign, just to utter comments that lack substance, commitment in nature and which are very much suspicious.
The desire rather is to see these political, religious, cultural and enterprising youth organisations being more proactive in influencing those public policies that directly affect their constituencies and act on their own terms, rather than adopt the direction of entities that do not understand their concerns and aspirations.
It is rather hard not to think that some of the youth organisations have left this enormous and yet important task to the mercy of the SPYL.
They must understand that the SPYL political mandate, motivation and loyalty lies with the SWAPO Party, and it would be wrong to blame the SPYL for pursuing their political course, and hard to imagine them concerning themselves with religious matters and putting it on their top ten priority list.
So if individual youth organisations do not rise to the occasion and fight for their own interest by engaging government and the private sector regarding matters that concern them, and form their own public opinions and brands, organisations that are known to be dominant and enjoy a political majority will always have leading opinions on behalf of these organisations, and this will unconsciously, and wrongly so, be interpreted as the collective opinion of the Namibian youth.
It is on these grounds that the youth organisations should abandon their ambiguous and infrequent strategies when attempting to influence public policy and adopt a consistent, structured and pragmatic approach in order to make a sustainable impact on public policy.
The reasons why the youth should be included in policy decisions are immense and invaluable as youth apathy has implications for the development of public policy today and the quality of our citizens tomorrow.
There are policies in certain sectors that are specifically targeted towards the youth of this country, but the youth are ironically politically excluded from the process of policy formulation and its process up until implementation.
Education policy, youth employment policy and youth reproductive health policy, for example, which are targeted almost exclusively at young people, are a good example of their political exclusion.
No group is more greatly affected by these policies than those being educated, the unemployed or those infected by the HIV/AIDS scourge, yet the level of youth influence in that process ranks behind that of politicians, bureaucrats, parents and union leaders.
Furthermore, by including the youth in the policy decisions, it provides opportunities for the youth to build skills and learn from experiences that will serve them well throughout their lives; it combats cynicism about politics and politicians; gives a first-hand understanding of how the decision-making process functions; it strengthens civil society; and demonstrates the value of the public sector and public service.
On the other hand for the politicians, including youth in policy making would mean taking a better decision, and implementing it easily without the youth being an unnecessary impediment in the future.
Secondly; the politicians would be promoting an appreciation of the value of debate, lobbying and compromise in our democracy, and demonstrating the importance of the public sector in Namibia.
Believe this if nothing else: public policy and how it can be influenced can be a very complex and strenuous process; it requires that one has resources and perseverance at one’s disposal to assist in making a meaningful contribution and impact towards a particular policy.
But how can the youth play the necessary role in this complex and relentless environment?
We have in the past seen how some of the comrades were gruesomely victimized while trying to question policies or government decision. While we might not all agree on the strategy adopted by these comrades in the effort to influence policy, we all have to agree on one thing: they significantly influenced the eventual direction government took on these decisions and they must forthwith be encouraged to continue with this commendable work.
But what we need to examine here is whether that approach would work for all organisations, especially those that are not politically inclined or are a political minority.
The last thing a youth organisation wants is bruising some politician’s ego by having a public standoff in an apparent attempt in influencing public policy.
The very first step in influencing public policy is to understand the workings of government. If one does not understand the origins of a particular policy, the path is likely to follow possible process-impediments, such as reluctant politicians and bureaucrats, and it would be very difficult for a certain interest organization to effectively influence that policy.
It would be easier for some policies to be influenced, i.e. directly influencing the policy-makers, and it would be advisable to play within the political boundaries of the political process.
This does not mean sacrificing principles, but rather, learning how the system works, and the importance of timing, compromise and lobbying.
There is a visible trend where certain organisations would comment on a bill or policy paper that has reached advanced stages, or worse where it has reached the implementation stages.
So making statements or seeking an audience at that stage, even if an organisation means well, will only be frustrating the process initiators, drivers and eventual implementers, and they are most likely will not be listened to as everybody will be questioning their seriousness and commitment to that public policy and its process, so the concerned parties or organisations will need to have dedicated individuals, teams or even their seniors in parliament or government to inform or advise them on a regular basis so that they generally keep the focus and timing right.
Many youth groups seem to have a lack of focus, activities and a constituency. To be effective, youth organisations must recognise that they cannot be all things to all youth, but rather need to target their efforts and energies.
They must determine their mandate; and must outline their priorities and determine which activities best serve their mandate.
If the youth organisation is concerned with promoting entrepreneurship in the youth sector, it is rather important for that organisation to concern itself with youth and entrepreneurship rather than dwelling on political issues that can be best addressed by political youth organisations or vice versa
Some youth organisations suffer from the lack of a targeted strategy to communicate their message and activities.
The Acting Secretary-General of the National Youth Council Cde Mandela Kapere suggested that one method of getting messages to the desired audience would be through writing position papers on issues that affect the youth of this country.
Typically, these position papers will have to contain the official beliefs and recommendations of these respective organizations, and commonly such papers will substantiate the opinion or positions put forward with evidence from an extensive objective discussion of the topic.
Again, these papers will have to be characterised by consistency, objectivity, focus and mandate.
The National Youth Council of Namibia, as an umbrella body of youth organisations in Namibia and a major player in public policy decisions, can as its policy influence strategy encourage organisations such as the National Youth Service, the National Planning Commission, the Presidential Economic Advisory Commission, and the Higher Education Commission and many other boards/commissions as per their policies or legislative requirements, to appoint such youth based on the advice or recommendations of the NYC.
The NYC in turn, should recommend youth that are able, who understand the political youth environment and aspirations which the NYC represents.
This way, even though NYC will not be dictating to these youth or obligating them to answer to the youth council as this might not be a legislative requirement, at least the youth council would be content with the knowledge that they have seconded people who are more likely to understand and carry out the general mandate of the youth and most importantly, strategically influence public policy at that level.
As a broader strategy, since very often motions that are brought up in parliament and the National Council have their origins in the regions, youth organisations in the regions and constituencies can assist and advise their local leaders, such as chiefs, regional councillors, local councillors, governors and mayors.
Thus, by presenting information and facts to their respective leaders they will be making a policy impact at both regional and national level in a humble and noble manner.
Lastly, there are many other reasons why the youth must influence policy and how they can go about doing it. But what is important is that, as much as their political origins or ideologies are different, they must portray a genuinely united front when attempting to influence public policy in Namibia.
It should not matter whether it is SPYL, NYL, DYL or Young Democrats, they must all stand together and show the policy makers that when it comes to our country Namibia, the policies that are designed to shape our future must be influenced by the youth today and not tomorrow.
• Ogone Thataone is an executive member of the Ikopeleng Youth Association. He is a member of the NYC National Executive Committee, but writes in his personal capacity.
Back to Top
Copyright 2008 ©New Era Publications . All rights reserved.| Site Designed and Hosted by Omalaeti Technologies | Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Contact Us
