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Sierra
Leone National Youth Policy
launched Monday June 30th 2003.
It
is with profound pleasure and satisfaction that
I welcome the launching of the National Youth
Policy of Sierra Leone. There can be no question
as to my Government's commitment to enhance
and promote the interests and welfare of young
people in this country.
The
creation of a new Ministry responsible for youth
and sports, and the cabinet adoption of the
youth policy bear testimony to our conviction
that youth empowerment is a country's best investment
for a prosperous future.
It
is my hope therefore that this youth policy
will serve as a reference for State institutions,
development partners and the private sector,
in our combined efforts to enhance youth development,
thereby providing a sound base for a stable
and peaceful Sierra Leone.
May
God bless the children and youth of Sierra Leone
and give us the strength, courage and commitment
to make adequate provision for their welfare.
H.E.
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.
30th June 2003.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
- The
revised national Youth Policy of Sierra Leone
has been designed to mainstream Youth activities
and contributions and to highlight Youth concern
as critical input in the development process.
-
The policy incorporates the following: the national
Youth Development Policy, 1995; the recommendations
of the National Youth Forum, 2000 and the national
Youth Conference, 2001.
-
This revised policy seeks to strengthen collaboration
between Youth organisations/Youth servicing
Agencies, NGO's, and all line Ministries that
have youth related activities.
- The
policy defines Youth as any Sierra Leonean (female
and male) within the 15-35-age bracket. This
does not exclude any young Sierra Leonean liable
to Youth related needs, concerns and influences.
- The
policy provides guidelines as to the responsibilities
of adults, the state and the private sector
to youths; and the responsibilities of youth
to society generally.
- The
policy provides guidelines as to the responsibilities
of adults, the state and the private sector
to youths; and the responsibilities of youth
to society generally.
- The
policy delineates the specific role of the Ministry
of Youth and Sports, the National Advisory Youth
Council, and the Districts Youth Councils.
 VISION
STATEMENT
The
National Youth Policy is anchored on the twin
notion of youth empowerment and the creation
of a responsible citizenry. Empowerment in a
post-conflict context involves privileging and
mainstreaming youth related activities in the
overall process of national reconstruction.
The ultimate goal is to reinvent the time-honoured
notion of dignity in labour, instill national
consciousness and patriotism in our young citizens,
so as to lay the foundation for the emergence
of a responsible citizenry in the service of
a one and indivisible Sierra Leone.
1.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This
policy shall aim at creating a level playing
field for youths to actualise their fullest
potentials, be competitive nationally and globally,
and to contribute as good, responsible citizens
to the development of their country. The objectives
of the policy will therefore be as follows:
- ·
To set up a mechanism in the Ministry of Youth
and Sport where in state policy on youths
would be designed, articulated, and implemented
through well-defined projects.
- ·
To create a fast track process for the self-realisation
of youths and their overall development as
a strategy for coping with the economic, social
and psychological damages of war.
- ·
To crate reliable and efficient networks through
which youths all over the country can easily
and rapidly access valuable information that
are beneficial to them or by which agencies
serving them can reach them.
- ·
To collaborate with other ministries, institutions,
and youth serving agencies in encouraging,
and facilitating the employment of youth in
the private and public sector.
- ·
To guarantee healthy and useful productive
lives for youths through sensitisation on
health issues, recreation and anti-drug abuse
activities.
- ·
To work with the relevant agencies in the
public/private sector in the fight against
HIV/AIDS, and to sensitise youths and their
communities on the implications of the disease
for national development.
- ·
To enhance the empowerment of young women
by incorporating gender sensitivity into all
aspects of the youth policy and programmes.
- ·
To mobilize youths of all ages to replace
the culture of violence with a culture of
peace, dialogue and responsible citizenry
through intensive campaigns; value education
programmes and life skills training.
- To
reinvent the dignity of labour as an integral
aspect of youth culture and consciousness.
2.
YOUTH PROFILE
Sierra
Leone is well endowed with human and natural
resources. The population of about 5.2 million
in 2002 is growing at 2.6 per annum. By the
year 2005, it is estimated that about 55% will
be youths. In fact the age distribution of the
youth population (1963, 1974 and 1985) suggests
that youth population grew from 33.7% to 34%
and to 35. =49% respectively, with the female
population always exceeding that of male. School
enrolment is at a dismal rate such that UNICEF
estimated that about 67 percent of primary school
age children are currently not in school.
A
rather dated labour force survey (1989/90) estimated
that unemployment rate was about 25% and the
highest was among the youth, between the ages
of 18 and 35. The poverty profile affirmed that
young adults aged 15-24, are amongst the poorest
of the poor.
Due
to the war, an estimated 700,000 of the displaced
with Sierra Leone were children and youth; some
9,000 were maimed, orphaned or separated from
their parents. A sizeable proportion of them
were combatants who currently live/make a living
on the streets. Majority of these youths who
were forced to flee their communities, trooped
to Freetown, and other major cities like Bo
and Kenema, and have become accustomed to city
life. They are largely illiterate, school dropouts
eking a living from petty trading, narcotic
drug peddling, prostitution and theft. These
youths are bunched in poor sections of cities,
and the rising number of slums in the city centre,
where they hourly feed western violence-prone/pornographic
movies in ubiquitous video cinema houses. The
'new mind opium' is the regular viewing of European
soccer on satellite TV. Nearly every other youth
in urban Sierra Leone is an avid fan of one
European football club, with school-going youth
devoting very little time for studies.
Narcotic
drug abuse and prostitution are becoming widespread
among the youth. There is a causal linkage between
the desire for a daily fix and the proliferation
of petty crime and theft. Narcotic drug abuse
and slow economic growth is a lighted fuse on
a ticking time bomb. Available evidence on the
prevalence of sexually transmitted disease,
including HIV/AIDS, suggests that the incidence
of HIV/AIDS is on the rise. According to the
UN Population Division (Department of Economic
and Social Affairs). Adults (15-49 years) living
with HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone number sixty five
thousand (65000, approximately 3% of the adult
population).
Another
problem of concern is the increasing number
of disadvantaged and disabled young people.
It is estimated that children are disproportionately
affected because they are more susceptible to
social, cultural, economic and political upheavals.
The
major national challenge facing the nation is
two fold:
- ·
To reduce the number of marginal youth
-
· To increase the number of mainstream
youth.
3.
DEFINITION OF YOUTH, YOUTH ORGANISATION AND
YOUTH SERVICING AGENCIES
WHO
IS A YOUTH?
 The
policy defines youth as all Sierra Leonean female
and male between the ages of 15 and 35. This
age bracket is exposed to multiple influences
and requires a variety of social, economic and
practical support to realize their full potentials.
The
policy recognises that there may be young people
outside this age bracket that are exposed to
similar circumstances as that of the youths
within the specified age category. Such young
persons will, within a given framework, be included
in the implementation of various programmes
identified in this policy. There will be flexibility
in the implementation of the policy to accommodate
young persons who may be below 15 depending
on the nature of programmes being implemented.
WHAT
IS A YOUTH ORGANISATION?
A youth organization is any organization set
up and managed by individuals in the 15-35-age
bracket, with a common developmental objective
geared towards social/economic development.
WHAT
IS A YOUTH SERVING AGENCY?
A
youth serving agency is an outfit managed by
adults or co-managed by youths and adults that
provides services for the development of young
people or specialized in activities that centre
on youths.
4.
1 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
RIGHTS
OF YOUTHS
The
policy seeks to stimulate recognition for, and
enforcement of, the following rights of youths
as embodied in the Constitution of Sierra Leone
and other important national and international
documents such as the National Education Policy,
and the Lisbon Protocol of 1998.
- ·
The right to Quality Education
- ·
The right to participate in all decision-making
processes relating to the welfare of the youth.
- ·
Protection from human harmful drugs, use of
firearms and all forms of exploitation (be
sexual abuses or child labour).
- ·
The right of youths (especially the girl-child)
to decide about their marriage.
- ·
The right to gainful employment either in
the public or private sector on completion
of formal, information or non-formal education.
- ·
The right to participate in governance issues.
- ·
The right to form Associations.
- ·
The freedom of opinion, conscience and expression.
- ·
The right to access appropriate information.
- ·
The right to leisure, cultural and sports
activities and to live in a good and healthy
environment.
- ·
The right to maintain child-parent relationship.
-
With the above rights are associated responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
OF YOUTHS
- ·
Youths should strive to meaningfully contribute
to the social, cultural, economic and political
development of this nation.
- ·
Youths must respect and maintain the laws
of Sierra Leone.
-
* Youths must refrain from all forms of violence,
substance drugs, and practice safe sex habits.
- ·
Youths must strive to promote the policy of
national reconciliation.
- ·
To promote peace, security and development.
- ·
To respect and protect public property.
- ·
To promote gender equality and respect for
the rights and dignity of girls and women.
- ·
To discourage acts of violence, crime, exploitation
and oppression of vulnerable groups.
- ·
To actively participate in the fight against
STD's (STI's) and the spread of HIV/AIDS.
- ·
To honour and respect Sierra Leone's National
symbols.
- ·
To promote and defend democracy through active
participation in the democratic process at
all levels.
COLLECTIVE
RESPONSIBILITY
The National Youth Policy recognizes that youth
women and men should be assisted to enjoy their
rights and meet their responsibilities through
the support of Parents/Adults and the State.
Authority figures in society must take their
responsibility seriously as key role models
for personality development of youth, and the
shaping of the nation. The public and private
sector must also be cognizant of their responsibilities.
4.3
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS/ADULTS
- It
is the responsibility of parents/guardians
to ensure that youths within the age bracket
of 15-18 grow up in an environment of warmth,
affection, security and stability.
- It
is the responsibility of parents/guardians
to enhance the physical and psychological,
sociological and economic development of youths.
- It
is the responsibility of parents/guardians
and relevant authorities in society to ensure
protection to the young without overpowering
them.
-
It is the responsibility of parents/guardians
and relevant authorities to recognize the
potentials of young persons and guide them
to develop their abilities and talents.
- It
is the responsibility of parents/guardians
and relevant authorities to educate youth
about human rights, and to ensure that the
human rights of youths are not violated.
4.
4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE
- It
is the responsibility of the state to ensure
that youth enjoy their constitutional and
social rights.
-
It is the responsibility of the state to provide
an enabling environment complete with the
necessary wherewithal to realize and actualise
youth potential.
-
It is the responsibility of the state to design,
co-ordinate, evaluate, and monitor all youth-related
activities/all stakeholders in youth affairs.
4.5
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR
This
policy seeks to encourage private sector initiatives.
This should take the form of financial contribution,
employment creation, and skills training.
5.
KEY TARGET GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS
The National Youth Policy is sensitive to the
multiple stakeholders that need coordination
to attain the successful implementation of the
desirable policies. Though the policy is specifically
intended to meet the interests, need and concerns
of all youths in the country certain marginal
youth groups are of primary concern because
of the peculiar problem. These are:
6.
THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIC AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
AS PRIORITIES
-
Job Creation Opportunities
- Skills
Training
- Information
and Sensitisation
- Community
Development Projects
- Presidential
Award for Excellence
- Youth
Consultation/Participation
The
proper coordination of the activities of the
stakeholders and Target groups would enhance
the success of this policy.
7
IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS (SECTORAL LINKAGES)
The
Ministry of Youth and Sports cannot single handedly
implement the wide range of programmes identified
in the Youth Policy. A holistic and comprehensive
response to the needs, concerns, problems and
opportunities reflected in the policy warrants
the concerted efforts of various key Sectoral
Ministries and Development Partners such as
Health, Social Welfare and Children's Affairs,
Lands, Housing and the Environment, Agriculture,
Internal Affairs, Local Government, UNICEF,
DFID and UNDP.
In
order to ensure efficient and effective implementation
of this policy, appropriate coordination structures
and mechanisms must be put in place to avoid
duplication and to maximize resources.
8
THE ROLE OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS
The
Ministry of Youth and Sports shall oversee the
implementation of the Youth Policy. The Ministry
shall  facilitate
the monitoring of various programmes as articulated
in the National Youth Policy, including playing
an advocacy role.
The
Ministry shall initiate linkages and collaborative
efforts within relevant government sectors.
This ministry should play a pivotal role in
the professional training of youth workers both
for Government, relevant NGO's, and Youth Organisations.
The
Ministry shall initiate the review of the National
Youth Policy in the course of its implementation
in consultation with key stakeholders working
in all youth linked sectors.
Each
relevant government sector will be required
to create a youth focal point. The youth focal
point will, on a regular basis, provide guidance,
monitor youth-related programmes within the
ministry, and work with other members toward
promoting youth participation in the decision-making
process.
9.1
THE NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
The
Council will play a supportive role in the implementation
of all youth related programmes. The Council
will be headed by a National Co-ordinator who
will report directly to the Minister of Youth
and Sport on all matters relating to youth development
in this country. It will serve as a channel
of communication, for all issues including Government
policy and programmes, to all affiliated Youth
Organisations. The National Youth Council will
be the central meeting place for all Youth Organisations
in the country.
9.2
DISTRICT YOUTH COMMITTEES
District
Youth Committees will be set up in every district.
They will be tasked with the following:
- ·
To identify major youth concerns, needs and
opportunities in their district.
- To
identify projects/programmes that can be recommended
for funding and support.
- To
promote collaboration and cooperation amongst
Youth organisations operating within the district.
- To
plan, develop and implement projects and programmes
that are beneficial to young people.
- To
collect, collate and compile data pertaining
to Youth in the district.
The
membership of District Youth Councils will be
drawn from Youth Organisations; NGO's operating
in the district, Youth workers, and ex-officio
members from Youths clubs in the district. The
district Youth Committees will report directly
to the Co-ordinator of the National Youth Advisory
Council.
10.
POLICY REVIEW
This
policy will be reviewed every three years to
incorporate new approaches to youth empowerment.
CONCLUSION
This
policy will be implemented through an action
plan that will provide details on the strategies
to be employed and the areas of priority. Only
a comprehensive national strategy and a coordinated
networking among key target groups and stakeholders
would produce the desired results. Youths have
lots of every and potential that Sierra Leone
can harness for development but this can only
be realised in an environment where the Youth
Question is at the top of the national agenda.
Sierra Leone can only hope for a brighter future
if she prepares the youth for responsible leadership
and positive result-oriented activities. This
underlines the need for a policy that is inclusive
of all categories of youths spelling out rights,
responsibilities, and expectations. The Government,
through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, must
create the ideal enabling environment to tackle
unemployment, drug-abuse, homelessness, and
create, a positive working culture in the minds
of our young women and men if we are to lay
to rest the rather nihilistic notion that puts
premium on violence as agent of social change.
This is possible in the context of a national
policy that creates a level playing field for
all youths - ' new civilians' drop outs; sex-workers;
illicit miners; school going; and the disabled/disadvantaged-to
realise their dreams and aspirations in post
conflict Sierra Leone.
POSTSCRIPT
Minister
of Youth and Sports.
(Hon.
Dr. Dennis Bright)
This
document constitutes a major landmark in our
collective attempt to privilege and empower
youth as responsible citizens in the nation-state
project. It is broad in its scope and inclusive
of all categories of youth; from the marginal
to the mainstream. Indeed we have come a long
way in designing, strategizing, and now creating
a framework within which to right the mistakes
of the past.
A
national youth policy, with explicit rights
and responsibilities, should of necessity be
predicated on a clear vision of the kind of
women and men that will inherit the burden of
the governance in the nation-state. If we differ
in the kind of society we want for our children,
let us agree on the qualities of the individuals
who would should the national burden.
A
premium on the kind of youth we want to see,
on the quality of the future citizens of a one
and indivisible Sierra Leone is crucial to our
collective survival as a nation.
This
is an opportunity to register our sincere thanks
and appreciation to our main collaborators;
such as the Commonwealth Youth Programme, UNICEF,
and UNDP, whose inputs have made the planning
and development of this Youth policy possible.
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