VP Chilima Urges Youth Involvement for Sustainable Future on International Youth Day
Chilima highlighted the need for youth to actively participate at all levels of decision-making, including policy formulation.
MZUZU, Malawi — Vice President Saulos Chilima has stressed the crucial role of youth engagement in achieving sustainable development in Malawi, writes Tionge Hara.
Speaking to the gathered audience during the International Youth Day celebrations in Mzuzu, Chilima emphasised that for this goal to be realised, the country must recognise the central role of its youth in its socio-economic fabric.
Chilima highlighted the need for youth to actively participate at all levels of decision-making, including policy formulation.
He urged the private sector and stakeholders to collaborate closely with the youth, imparting green skills in communication and technology while fostering sustainable lifestyles.
"The youth must be equipped with skills that align with our evolving world while advocating for environmental sustainability," Chilima asserted.
Emphasising the importance of modern skills over traditional practises, Chilima underlined that investments in cultivating 'green youths' would lead to an environmentally conscious society.
He lauded the efforts of Uchizi Mkandawire, the Minister of Youths, for his climate change mitigation endeavours and called for more efforts to ensure that the youth have access to information and technology.
Mkandawire echoed Chilima's sentiment, stating that the youth remain pivotal for the nation's development. He emphasised that investments in the green economy could address unemployment and spur innovation.
Mkandawire also discussed initiatives like the Mzuzu youth centre and loans for young entrepreneurs, showcasing the government's commitment to empowering the youth.
Amidst the International Youth Day celebrations in Mzuzu, Salome Kadazi, a young attendee, emphasised the vital role of this day while offering practical advice to her peers.
Kadazi urged fellow youths to take this occasion seriously and put into practice the various skills they have acquired, such as soap-making and fertiliser production.
Dr. Ezizgeldi Hello, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), underscored the significance of empowering the youth in Malawi.
The event, held under the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World," highlighted the need to prepare the youth for a future centred around sustainable practises.
The International Youth Day event served as a platform to advocate for active youth involvement in shaping a sustainable future.