By Jimmy Chazama:
The European Union (EU) has commended its Youth Sounding Board initiative in Malawi, describing it as a key step in strengthening youth involvement in development activities.
Speaking during a final engagement with the outgoing group of 15 youth representatives at the EU residence in Lilongwe on Thursday, EU Ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach described the two-year programme as a valuable learning experience.
The ambassador said the initiative offered the EU insights into how it can work more effectively with young people.
The envoy added that it created space for direct dialogue on matters that affect the future of youths.
- Advertisement -
“The youth are not just the future; they are the present. They make up the largest part of Malawi’s population and, as such, it is only right that they take part in shaping their own future,” Skinnebach said.
The board members, selected from across the country, were involved in offering advice, recommendations and reflections on EU programmes that target young people in areas such as skills training, entrepreneurship and community resilience.
According to the ambassador, the board exceeded expectations, in terms of how actively its members wanted to participate in activities.
“We may have underestimated how strongly they wanted to be involved. They asked for more influence, better preparation and greater opportunities to contribute, and we are taking all that into account as we move forward,” he said.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
As the first cohort prepares to wrap up its mandate in September this year, the EU has announced plans to open recruitment for a new group of youth representatives.
The ambassador encouraged interested young people to follow the European Union Delegation’s official Facebook page for updates and application details.
Godfrey Malongo, a member of the European Union Youth Sounding Board, said the board gave youths a chance to review programmes and offer advice on how to better engage young people.
“We gave recommendations and also led youth-led initiatives, including a climate resilience project in Chikwawa District,” Malongo said.
