Rural youth leaders stir change from the roots

A recent civic workshop has equipped 30 rural youth leaders across Namibia with the tools to engage in decision-making and drive grassroots change.

In the ‘From The Ground Up’ initiative, RuralRise Community Empowerment last week facilitated a civic engagement workshop for these leaders.

Held online, the workshop empowered the participants with the ability to express themselves, engage in decision-making, and influence development at the grassroots level.

The workshops included topics such as democracy, public participation, advocacy, and leadership, with the objective of empowering the youth with their civic responsibilities and rights.

“Most rural youth are not exposed to this kind of information,” said Saara David from the Oshikoto region.

“Now I am better equipped to get involved and motivate others.”

Leo-Natan Lungameni of Afriyan Namibia said: “We require spaces where young people can educate one another and initiate movements with longevity.”

RuralRise encouraged attendees to network through local stakeholders or community centres.

Issaskar Tjandero of RuralRise said the workshop was the start of a growing movement.

“RuralRise plans to launch monthly civic forums, expand its rural youth network, and equip even more young Namibians to lead change in their communities,” he said.

He said the programme complements national programmes such as the civic education outreach programme of the National Assembly, which operates in the Erongo region.

This programme teaches young people about lawmaking, debating, and discovering how they can contribute towards governance.

RuralRise encourages young people to participate by subscribing to their social media channels.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.