Today we were presented with a particularly sobering example of the youth crisis in Kenya. Images of rioters gone wild, young men wheeling machetes, shops being looted and citizens beaten to death. It had a major impact on us all!
These were images taken by Boniface Mwangi, a photographer who documented the post election riots in the slums of Kenya. From the frontline he bravely captured the images of death and destruction taking place in his country so the world could see the truth for itself. Since then the Kwani Trust (a Kenyan based literary network) has toured the country with their exhibition. The Kenyan govenment has refused to accept any of their publications.
This is the film we saw.
It was an extremely powerful, and at times harrowing, example of the violence and brutality that disempowerment and corruption can lead to. We need to become active citizens to stop politicians exploiting our tribal heritages and seeing these images repeated, not only again in Kenya, but across Africa. Our quest to move from subjects to citizens is an ever urgent one.
Read more at http://kenyaburning.org and http://kwani.org
Friday, October 30, 2009
Carlos's Sheep
The ‘Sheep Experiment’
‘A scientist put a herd of sheep in line. He then placed a stick in front of them, two feet from the ground. The first sheep came and jumped over the stick. The second did the same. After the third sheep, he removed the stick.
To his surprise, when the fourth sheep came, it jumped over an imaginary stick. Every sheep thereafter jumped over this imaginary stick. Their minds were fixed on a stick; they never realised it had been removed.’
In Africa, we have been jumping over imaginary sticks for many years. Since colonial times, our fathers were trained to jump and we are following them. External powers have set targets for our leaders to jump over and they are happy jumping. Because we are following them, we are also jumping. We are like the fourth or the fifth sheep. At least our leaders can see the stick. They know why they are jumping. But we are busy jumping, blindly using their standard.
This what mean when we talk of being a subject. A subject is someone who has limited rights and obligations beyond loyalty to the Master. Being a citizen and civic competence is the ability to think before you jump over the stick, whether it is imaginary or real. The ability to think about why we are jumping, and decide whether it is the best time to jump or not.
-Shared by Carlos Sanvee at the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Youth Summit 2009
‘A scientist put a herd of sheep in line. He then placed a stick in front of them, two feet from the ground. The first sheep came and jumped over the stick. The second did the same. After the third sheep, he removed the stick.
To his surprise, when the fourth sheep came, it jumped over an imaginary stick. Every sheep thereafter jumped over this imaginary stick. Their minds were fixed on a stick; they never realised it had been removed.’
In Africa, we have been jumping over imaginary sticks for many years. Since colonial times, our fathers were trained to jump and we are following them. External powers have set targets for our leaders to jump over and they are happy jumping. Because we are following them, we are also jumping. We are like the fourth or the fifth sheep. At least our leaders can see the stick. They know why they are jumping. But we are busy jumping, blindly using their standard.
This what mean when we talk of being a subject. A subject is someone who has limited rights and obligations beyond loyalty to the Master. Being a citizen and civic competence is the ability to think before you jump over the stick, whether it is imaginary or real. The ability to think about why we are jumping, and decide whether it is the best time to jump or not.
-Shared by Carlos Sanvee at the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Youth Summit 2009
Its open! The Opening ceremony
Youth spoke out today of their pride in their countries and continent during a colourful opening ceremony at the Africa Hall of the Economic Commission for Africa (United Nations Building). Representatives from each of the 12 participating countries (with the exception of the Liberians as at that point, they were into their 16th hour in visa negotiations at the airport) took to the podium and shared something of their heritage and hopes. They were joined by youth reps from YMCA global partners who are attending.
Some taught the group greetings in their local languages and the vuvuzela (1) was blown, a circus act performed and a really vibey band had participants dancing. Wow! Who would have thought this could happen in this hall – the very place our African leaders decided on the formation of the African Union!
The official part of the ceremony was really good too. It was officiated by the patron of the YMCA who is the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abba Paulos, and also the President of the World Council of Churches. He urged youth participants to use their time to produce fuitful results for our future generation.
Youth Minister Aster Mamo spoke of the importance of synergising and harmonising programmes and resources under the National Youth Policy in Ethiopia. She encouraged the YMCA to sustain its activities for youth impact.
Dr Berhanu Tadesse, President of the Ethiopia YMCA, spoke about the need to transform our youth from spectators to players and from mere subjects to citizens. He said transformative change will come through providing space for dialogue, open and transparent communication and building the capacity to tolerate and accommodate new ideas and differences.
Carlos Sanvee, General Secretary of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs, said our problem in Africa is not just one of leadership – but actually more one of followership. He gave a great illustration – read it in another comment on the blog about the ‘sheep experiment’.
1. Used at soccer matches, it emits a really loud and authentically African sound to show appreciation and encouragement for the team you are supporting.
Some taught the group greetings in their local languages and the vuvuzela (1) was blown, a circus act performed and a really vibey band had participants dancing. Wow! Who would have thought this could happen in this hall – the very place our African leaders decided on the formation of the African Union!
The official part of the ceremony was really good too. It was officiated by the patron of the YMCA who is the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abba Paulos, and also the President of the World Council of Churches. He urged youth participants to use their time to produce fuitful results for our future generation.
Youth Minister Aster Mamo spoke of the importance of synergising and harmonising programmes and resources under the National Youth Policy in Ethiopia. She encouraged the YMCA to sustain its activities for youth impact.
Dr Berhanu Tadesse, President of the Ethiopia YMCA, spoke about the need to transform our youth from spectators to players and from mere subjects to citizens. He said transformative change will come through providing space for dialogue, open and transparent communication and building the capacity to tolerate and accommodate new ideas and differences.
Carlos Sanvee, General Secretary of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs, said our problem in Africa is not just one of leadership – but actually more one of followership. He gave a great illustration – read it in another comment on the blog about the ‘sheep experiment’.
1. Used at soccer matches, it emits a really loud and authentically African sound to show appreciation and encouragement for the team you are supporting.
Expectations from Ghana
We are passing through an important and exciting phase not only
in the reconstruction and development of our continent, but also
in the struggle for the freedom and unity of young people on the
continent.
In this great task of getting ourselves accomplished for this struggle,
the importance of such periodic meetings like Umoja, the Africa YMCA
Youth Summit cannot be over emphasized.
Our greatest challenge is our status as youth "more of SUBJECTS"
Our accomplishment is to exist more as Citizen even as youth.
Where we able to identify and help solve the issues that underpins
our very existence. Where we are able to engage with duty bearers
on issues that pertains to our development. Where we are able to build a voice that would be listened to. Where our stake in the socio-economic
development of our countries and the continent is recognized by all.
I share our youthful feelings as we assemble from different parts of
the continent to celebrate our identity and the course ahead in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
To us young people, this is an important occasion. Meeting at a time
Africa is celebrating the centenary of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
coupled with the Africa Youth Charter entering into force, there is
every cause for us to say WE CAN MAKE IT given the lessons available.
We can affect a new generation of youth from our Ethiopia Assembly "Umoja II".
A time we will all reflect on our duty to mother Africa, on the cultivation of those virtues and skills which will promote the well being of us all, and our aspirations and hopes for the future.
It is therefore fitting that we should remind ourselves of the great
responsibilities we owe to our continent through our noble Association.
We are all involved. We have the energy, we have the passion, with
the finest intuition, our role as future leaders of the continent will be
promising.
Shalom!
in the reconstruction and development of our continent, but also
in the struggle for the freedom and unity of young people on the
continent.
In this great task of getting ourselves accomplished for this struggle,
the importance of such periodic meetings like Umoja, the Africa YMCA
Youth Summit cannot be over emphasized.
Our greatest challenge is our status as youth "more of SUBJECTS"
Our accomplishment is to exist more as Citizen even as youth.
Where we able to identify and help solve the issues that underpins
our very existence. Where we are able to engage with duty bearers
on issues that pertains to our development. Where we are able to build a voice that would be listened to. Where our stake in the socio-economic
development of our countries and the continent is recognized by all.
I share our youthful feelings as we assemble from different parts of
the continent to celebrate our identity and the course ahead in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.
To us young people, this is an important occasion. Meeting at a time
Africa is celebrating the centenary of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
coupled with the Africa Youth Charter entering into force, there is
every cause for us to say WE CAN MAKE IT given the lessons available.
We can affect a new generation of youth from our Ethiopia Assembly "Umoja II".
A time we will all reflect on our duty to mother Africa, on the cultivation of those virtues and skills which will promote the well being of us all, and our aspirations and hopes for the future.
It is therefore fitting that we should remind ourselves of the great
responsibilities we owe to our continent through our noble Association.
We are all involved. We have the energy, we have the passion, with
the finest intuition, our role as future leaders of the continent will be
promising.
Shalom!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
For now and for the future!
The youth crisis in Africa has been with us for long enough a time, and it has now become imperative for each and every young person to make a paradigm shift of their mindset and take radical but strategic
steps to change the situation. In our arsenal we have the Subject to Citizen Concept. When grasped and put into meaningful action, the summit and indeed the continent will have at the end of the day, a
cadre of transformed, vibrant and responsible young leaders, for now and for the future!
Cheers!
Mutale Chanda
Zambia YMCA
steps to change the situation. In our arsenal we have the Subject to Citizen Concept. When grasped and put into meaningful action, the summit and indeed the continent will have at the end of the day, a
cadre of transformed, vibrant and responsible young leaders, for now and for the future!
Cheers!
Mutale Chanda
Zambia YMCA
You don't want to miss this opportunity to rise up and take action
Once upon a time, in a marshy swamp somewhere, the frogs wanted a king. After much consultation, they sent a petition to God saying, “Mighty one, send us a king who will rule over us and keep us in order”.
God laughed at the request and dropped a huge log into the swamp. At first, the frogs were horrified by this ‘monster king’. They grovelled and worshipped him. But with time, they discovered that the log was motionless.
He said nothing, did nothing and saw nothing. This frustrated them. Then the bravest of the frogs moved towards it and touched it with great fear. It did not move or strike back.
Days later, the “frog leader” in the kingdom climbed on the log and started dancing and jumping all over it. It did not move. Seeing this, all the other frogs mounted the log and danced their heads off on it. Still, it did not move.
That my fellow youth is our real problem: we have a huge log for our competence. We are motionless!! We are saying NOTHING, doing NOTHING and seeing NOTHING regarding the position and competence of young people in the continent. We have been told we are the leaders of tomorrow, the real change. But once we occupy the small space provided for us, we become dormant and bring no change! And this, therefore, causes our elders to ‘mount over us’ and ‘dance their heads off on us’. They misuse us for their own personal and political benefits. We need to stop this frustration and misuse from our so called ‘leaders’. We need to rise up and take action. We need to be the epitome of change in our continent.
The Youth Summit is our time and our chance to bring change and make a difference in our continent. At the Summit in Addis, young people shall be empowered to SAY something about the current position of young people in the continent, DO something to bring transformation of young people, and SEE something about the future of the youth in Africa.
YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RISE UP AND TAKE ACTION!
Wangeci Kago
Africa Alliance of YMCAs
God laughed at the request and dropped a huge log into the swamp. At first, the frogs were horrified by this ‘monster king’. They grovelled and worshipped him. But with time, they discovered that the log was motionless.
He said nothing, did nothing and saw nothing. This frustrated them. Then the bravest of the frogs moved towards it and touched it with great fear. It did not move or strike back.
Days later, the “frog leader” in the kingdom climbed on the log and started dancing and jumping all over it. It did not move. Seeing this, all the other frogs mounted the log and danced their heads off on it. Still, it did not move.
That my fellow youth is our real problem: we have a huge log for our competence. We are motionless!! We are saying NOTHING, doing NOTHING and seeing NOTHING regarding the position and competence of young people in the continent. We have been told we are the leaders of tomorrow, the real change. But once we occupy the small space provided for us, we become dormant and bring no change! And this, therefore, causes our elders to ‘mount over us’ and ‘dance their heads off on us’. They misuse us for their own personal and political benefits. We need to stop this frustration and misuse from our so called ‘leaders’. We need to rise up and take action. We need to be the epitome of change in our continent.
The Youth Summit is our time and our chance to bring change and make a difference in our continent. At the Summit in Addis, young people shall be empowered to SAY something about the current position of young people in the continent, DO something to bring transformation of young people, and SEE something about the future of the youth in Africa.
YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RISE UP AND TAKE ACTION!
Wangeci Kago
Africa Alliance of YMCAs
Monday, October 26, 2009
Vezi gives his thoughts as we get ready to begin!
As the lead facilitator of the Youth Summit, I am excited to share my vision and expectations. Let me say that this is not an event and it is not training, although participants will learn more than they have ever learnt in any training they have attended before.
So what is it? The Summit is a platform for change in our journey to true Renaissance in Africa. As the word suggests, the summit is a place where we will survey where we have come from and where we need to get to as young people in Africa. It will be an opportunity for us to confront what is on our way so we can get to where we need to go.
We will deliberate on and develop action plans for what it means to be a citizen – a young leader who has the skills and confidence to engage with churches, communities and governments to make positive changes. We will leave with belief that change starts with us and as we live this change, we will make significant positive impact in our societies. And then we will do it and make it happen!
I look forward to sharing more with you during the Summit…
Vezi Mncwango
Lead facilitator, Youth Summit
So what is it? The Summit is a platform for change in our journey to true Renaissance in Africa. As the word suggests, the summit is a place where we will survey where we have come from and where we need to get to as young people in Africa. It will be an opportunity for us to confront what is on our way so we can get to where we need to go.
We will deliberate on and develop action plans for what it means to be a citizen – a young leader who has the skills and confidence to engage with churches, communities and governments to make positive changes. We will leave with belief that change starts with us and as we live this change, we will make significant positive impact in our societies. And then we will do it and make it happen!
I look forward to sharing more with you during the Summit…
Vezi Mncwango
Lead facilitator, Youth Summit
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the blog for Africa YMCA Youth Summit 2009. Young people from around Africa will be gathering in Addis Ababa from 28 Oct- 9 Nov to deliberate on an exciting Africa YMCA model called ‘Subject to Citizen’. It is time for young people to stop being the subjects of Africa – exploited and manipulated, and shackled in economic and political oppression. As youth, we will be exploring how to move to a state where we are citizens in our countries and continent. Where are voices are heard, where we have the space to make a difference and to influence decision-makers for positive change for the youth in Africa.
During the Summit we will post information to keep you all updated. Please share this link with your friends and associates and join the journey with us as we go forward for a better Africa.
During the Summit we will post information to keep you all updated. Please share this link with your friends and associates and join the journey with us as we go forward for a better Africa.
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