E-discussion: Summary of Week 5

The Transition to Citizenship
Moderators' Summary of E-discussion

• As a young person how do you wish to be involved and participate in public activities, including governance, decision-making and policy-making? What hindrances do you face when trying to participate in political and social life? How can you overcome them?
• What practical solutions do you have for the problems experienced? How do you view ICTs as tools of transition to citizenship?
• As a citizen do you believe that it is justifiable to use violence to achieve political or social goals? What other responsible options are available to you? Do they work?
• Do you trust your government? How would you like it to be run? How would you like to be involved in governance? What changes would your like to see your government carry out? 
• Do you believe you are a full citizen of your country? How do you participate in your country’s affairs? Do you belong to any forums?

As young people grow out of the family they move to a wider circle of being citizens with expectations on how to participate in their nation building and contributing to society. During the week devoted to this theme, we were able to gather some meaningful insights as per what
concerns young people and their full participation in public life.

As a young person how do you wish to be involved and participate in public activities, including governance, decision-making and policy-making? What hindrances do you face when trying to participate in political and social life? How can you overcome them?

Ibrahim Kizito from Uganda noted that young people should be involved and participate more in public activities at all levels, especially through decision-making, elections and consultations on constitutional amendments.

Masahiko Haraguchi from Hiroshima, Japan wishes that young people were involved in public activities or governance in such a way that to express their opinion on political and social affairs, as it seems that there is a huge disparity between different age groups. It should also be taken into
account that many youths are totally indifferent in regards to social or political affairs.

Many participants also pointed out that they would like to fully participate into decision making at different levels, including governance, decision making and policy making. This can come in the form
of constructive criticisms of inadequate government policies and provision of aids to the populace through poverty alleviation, youth empowerment, women emancipation, skill acquisition and capacity building in the most necessary areas such as the ICTs.

Youths face a number of hindrances while trying to participate in political and social life. Some of those hindrances are due to that fact that they don't enjoy any financial support when participating in social and political activities; there are age barriers; some positions are reserved for some privileged people and not based on merit; there is unnecessary discrimination of girls in social and political activities; there is no access to quality information especially to youths in the rural areas.

What practical solutions do you have for the problems experienced? How do you view ICTs as tools of transition to citizenship?

The above question can be addressed by raising Awareness. ICTs are an important tool because they enable citizens to get more information, information that often goes beyond their borders.
Masahiko Haraguchi from Hiroshima, says that in the past she didn’t do anything for the political or social affairs because she believed that young people could not change anything. But she found out that the society is ready to listen to young people once they want to take an action or
express their own opinion.

Uruakpa Cajetano Van Luciano from Nigeria found a number of practical solutions/suggestions for the problems he experience, including: forming co-operatives to help youths present their problems to the authorities, and getting youths as involved in politics as possible. He also suggests that those in the tertiary institution ought to have a foretaste of politics while in school through participation in students' unionism by seeking for elective positions.

Also, ICTs are deemed important because:

1. ICTs are a tool for transition to citizenship because having access to the internet enables youths to get enough information to help shape their future;
2. ICTs are an important tool because virtually every human activity in the present generation is computer-based. Hence, youths can participate and contribute meaningfully towards the development of the society. Needless to say, youths envisage the creation of equal participation opportunities and accessibility of adequate information another consideration, even if ICT investment is increased, is the issue of censorship. Certain Asian countries (like China) practice censorship of varying degrees, and these tend also to have less-than-excellent civil rights records. So then it is important to think beyond ICT when organizing a youth voice, and be creative in pushing the boundaries in our respective societies for more political freedom. (Of course this is easier said than done.)

As a citizen do you believe that it is justifiable to use violence to achieve political or social goals? What other responsible options are available to you? Do they work?

Masahiko Haraguchi from Hiroshima: In my opinion, violence is not justifiable even in order to achieve political or social goal, because there are other tools to achieve these goals in Japanese society. For instance, we can rely on the mass media when we want to expose some unfair matters in society. Or we can express our opinion freely because our constitution assures freedom of speech. I believe that the right of freedom of speech or mass media works well in Japanese society.

Another participant, Christina, says that violence is the last resort but tha if one can die for the benefit of the unfortunate ones, that’s not a problem to her. At times we have to fight to get dialogues going, as she noticed.

Do you trust your government? How would you like it to be run? How would you like to be involved in governance? What changes would your like to see your government carry out?

Many youths pointed out that they have mixed feelings. Some times they do and some times they just don’t, because many politicians do not uphold their pledges.

A participant said that 'an extra effort should be made to guarantee the security of lives and property because there are obvious rampant cases of avoidable security lapses.

The health sector, as a matter of necessity, ought to be revitalized. More effort should be devoted to fight against HIV/AIDS. ARVs should be provided for HIV infected people’.

Many said that they would like their government to be more democratic and transparent. They want
their country’s leaders to be accountable to the people, and to actually genuinely consult public opinion on all issues possible.

Do you believe you are a full citizen of your country? How do you participate in your country’s affairs? Do you belong to any forums?
Most acknowledged that they are full citizens because they can exercise voting rights when it comes to elections, and most of them also belong to youth forums and take part in public talkings/hearings.

Uruakpa Cajetano Van Luciano from Nigeria says that "I am a full citizen of my country. I earnestly and diligently participate in the affairs of my country in any capacity when the need arises and when it is open for public participation. Often I participate in public work as a volunteer. I belong to a number of fora - community meeting, co-operative society, and religious organization’s am the C.E.O. of Strategic Youth Development and Peace Initiative (SYDAPI). I am also the Executive Director of an NGO – Succour International'.