Change Your WorldThe Non-Negotiables (Pt 1)
In this article, I recommend areas where youth activism (and advocacy) is needed. These recommendations have to do with addressing the basic needs and rights of young people sustainably. And my point is simply that the youth, more so than any other politically active demographic, ought to make activism for these causes a priority.
The ‘Non-Negotiables’ will be published in 2 installments. The first 3 Non-Negotiables are:
— Adequate Investment In Education
— The Need for Unemployment Benefits
— The Need of Transitional Spaces
ADEQUATE INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION
While the increased budget for education in 2013 is commendable [no one denies that], the important question is whether it is adequate. And as many have argued convincingly, it clearly falls short of what is needed. [See an editorial on Omojuwa.com HERE]
Reality Check: Recent statistics from UNESCO show that Nigeria has the highest number of children out of school; 1 in 5 to be exact. [See Premium Times article HERE]
An editorialist recently suggested that population growth may be responsible for the perceived falling performance in Nigeria with respect to education & other MDGs. [See Guardian UK article HERE]
While this is no excuse, it does give us an idea of what investment in education should achieve. It means that the rate of progress must increase regularly (year-on-year) in order to keep pace with the increasing number of school-aged children who may otherwise be affected adversely.
The Bottom-Line is this: Education is non-negotiable. And while inadequate funding may not be the only problem, it is the most serious problem. We need to do what we can to raise budgetary allocations to the UN recommended level of 26% … if not higher!
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
There are few who can believably assert that ALL the jobs we need can be created within the next few years. Progress (significant progress) will be made no doubt. But the issue, as always, is if the gains made will be near equal to what is needed. It is only reasonable to be realistic and take seriously the possibility that not an insignificant number of young people may be left out of the much anticipated jobs boom.
Is this outcome acceptable? Will we do nothing about it? How will the affected youth afford health services? How will such young people afford to re-tool for jobs in different industries? How will they remain integrated into society as informed and participating members?
Our government has a responsibility to fulfill in this regard. While it may be impossible to fulfill this obligation at present, We the youth should advocate that government create and commit to policy that will give people who qualify, unemployment benefits by 2020 – 2030.
Said benefits may be monetary or in the form of subsidized access to specific resources. We need a ‘road-map’ for sourcing and maintaining the funds needed to get such a program off the ground. This need cannot be ignored for much longer, even as we make effort to create jobs and entrepreneurs.
TRANSITIONAL SPACES
I first mentioned the need for Transitional Spaces in the 3rd article of this series and I identified the lack of such spaces as a failure almost on par with the lack of jobs.
Transitional spaces are places or institutions (less formal but structured) where the youth can find the resources and assistance they need to remain constructively engaged before full employment.
They could be semi-specialized to meet specific needs be it entrepreneurial, vocational, social, educational, etc. Young People who are unemployed may even be given subsidized access to such spaces as part of an unemployment benefits package.
A few institutions like this have been created since 2011. There are new libraries and tech hubs in Lagos (primarily), and other cities in the country. This is commendable progress but we need more and we need them fast.
Ideally, the existence of transitional spaces should create a culture not unlike the library culture in other parts of the world. Young people should come of age knowing they have resources like this to serve them during the difficult post-graduation – pre-employment gap. Prolonged unemployment drains many young people of knowledge, social skills, and zeal. It is only wise to change this trend as part of a medium to long-term plan.
Transitional spaces will also provide meaningful, sustainable employment for many. Getting government and large corporations to fund the creation of targeted transitional spaces should be an advocacy priority for the youth.
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