BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has celebrated the establishment of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) supporting the European Union (EU)Delegation to the Kingdom of Eswatini in improving and channeling their support targeting young emaSwati.
The Minister of Sports, and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga said this initiative is a significant milestone in empowering the youth of the country and in promoting cooperation and partnership between Eswatini and the EU.
He said this was in line with the aspirations of the Eswatini National Youth Policy 2020, a comprehensive framework that aims to create an empowered generation of young emaSwati for Vision 2022 and beyond.
“With over 70 percent of the total population in Eswatini being under 35 years, the Eswatini National Youth Policy 2020 demonstrates the commitment of His Majesty’s Government to the development, well-being, and empowerment of our youth.
“We underline the importance of cooperation in implementing this policy, and we are grateful for the EU’s steps taken in this regard,” he said.
In addition to that, he said it was very important that Eswatini youth is seen as active in all socio-economic activities and decision-making processes in the country, in line with the new Operational Plan 2022, which highlights the significance of youth involvement and participation in joint planning and implementation mechanisms.
This focus is crucial to ensure that the voices and concerns of our youth are heard. By involving the youth in the planning and implementation stages, we can create more effective and relevant policies and programs.
The Youth Sounding Board (YSB) for the EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Eswatini is, therefore, a remarkable initiative that aligns with the objectives of both the Eswatini National Youth Policy 2020 and the Operational Plan 2022.
The YSB will serve as a platform for young emaSwati to engage with the EU Delegation and offer their insights, ideas, and recommendations on various projects and initiatives.
Minister Madze said by fostering dialogue and collaboration, the YSB will ensure that the youth’s perspectives are considered and integrated into the EU’s programming and policy development in Eswatini The Operational Plan 2022 also emphasizes the need to establish effective coordination structures for youth programming, monitoring, and evaluation.
“These structures will help create a more cohesive and integrated approach to youth development, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that the intended outcomes are achieved.
“The YSB aligns with this goal by providing a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and feedback, leading to better-informed decision-making and more effective policies,” he said.
Worth noting is that the establishment of the Youth Sounding Board for the EU Delegation in the Kingdom of Eswatini is a significant step forward in promoting the empowerment and active participation of the youth.
It also reflects a shared commitment to creating a brighter future for young emaSwati and fostering stronger cooperation between the Kingdom of Eswatini and the European Union.
Together, we can ensure that the voices of our youth are heard and that they play an active role in shaping the policies and programs that will determine their future.
