Background
The idea for International Youth Day was introduced in 1991 by young people attending the first session of the United Nations System's World Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria. The Forum suggested that an International Youth Day be declared, primarily for fund-raising and promotional purposes, to benefit the United Nations Youth Fund in collaboration with youth organizations. The United Nations adopted a resolution establishing August 12 as International Youth Day.
The global observance of the day focuses on the challenges that certain young people face around the world. This year's theme is ' From Clicks to Progress; Youth Digital Pathways For Sustainable Development'. This theme focuses on how young people utilize digital technologies to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Each year, the theme changes to reflect the challenges and opportunities that young people confront. While the global theme draws attention to utilization of digital technologies for the attainment of SDGs, it will not be far-fetched to draw attention to Democracy and youth participation because this year, several countries across the globe, particularly Africa are going to polls. The need to focus on democracy and youth participation has become paramount following Afrobaromerter’s recent survey based on 36 African countries shedding light on how these countries prefer democracy over any other system of governance.
Democracy in Africa
Support for democracy in Africa has steeply dropped in several countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Guinea hence the surge in coups d'état in Africa. In 2023, the number of free/ partly free democracies in Africa had fallen to 30 (though still with nine rated as “free”). Since 2020, soldiers have pushed out democratically elected governments in six countries – Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Sudan – in a spate of coups that sometimes appeared to enjoy a measure of public support.
While the declining state of democracy in Africa is worrying, some countries are relentlessly fighting against anti-democratic efforts and one of such countries is Senegal. The country’s constitutional council successfully blocked former President Macky Sall’s effort to postpone the presidential elections which ultimately saw the opposition led by President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye winning the elections.
Afrobarometer’s most recent survey findings
“African insights 2024: Democracy at risk – the people’s perspective,” which has become an annual series Afrobarometer covering democratic trends in 39 countries over the past decade shows that Africans remain largely committed to democracy and aspire to live under governments that are democratic and accountable.
The findings of the survey also revealed that as of 2023, support for democracy ranged from 87% in Zambia to 39% in Mali. The year 2024 is packed with about 23 national elections across the continent. This means that most Africans who support democratic governance are looking for quality and legitimate contests.
Democracy and Youth Participation
Africa has the youngest population in the world with more than 400 million young people aged between the ages of 15 to 35 years. On average as presented by Afrobarometer’s survey, almost two-thirds (64%) of youth prefer democracy over any other kind of government.
The election of Senegal’s new president Bassirou Diomaye Faye at 44 indicates that it is time to include the youth in the democratic dispensation as their appetite for democracy is rife. International Youth Day raises awareness and policy action for youth concerns and with the empirical statistics provided by the survey, we need to promote an inclusive and responsive approach to youth development and democratic governance.
The results of the Afrobarometer study on democratic tendencies and preferences in Africa have important ramifications for International Youth Day, especially when it comes to highlighting the influence of youth on the future direction of the continent's administration. The youth are essential components to advancing democratic ideas and holding politicians responsible because they make up the majority of the population in many African nations.
International Youth Day recognizes the potential and contributions of young people, as such young Africans must be important voices in pushing for democratic principles such as fair elections, and the rule of law. The loss in support for democracy in some nations highlights the need for increased efforts to educate and empower youth about the value of democratic governance. As future leaders, young people must be prepared to resist authoritarian inclinations and demand accountable governance.
Conclusion
On International Youth Day, it is critical to recognize the challenges and opportunities identified in the Afrobarometer study. We must involve the youth in democratic and governance discussions and actions. This will help develop a generation that values and protects democratic institutions.
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