By Wamukoya John Baptister, Kenya YMCA
On 29 January 2010 Kenya YMCA Nakuru branch, one of the pilot site of the S2C process, made a remarkable step in realising our dream of empowering young people from subject to citizen. The Branch Management Committee (BMC) adopted the concept as one of its strategic approaches towards civic education in Nakuru.
I took the BMC through the process, and in adopting S2C, the board discussed localising it to ensure relevance and success for the youth.
In line with the process and principles of the Youth Summit, members agreed:
· The branch needs to make it people centered: by engaging in youth advocacy
· To have mutual respect: respect people’s knowledge, experience, perspectives, skills and unique role in the community.
This was brought about by the fact that Nakuru is a cosmopolitan town and people still have suspicions after the post-election violence and the on-off political unrest.
· Participation: as a branch we ensure equal space for individual and collective participation.
· Holistic response: based on the knowledge that S2C requires an integrated long-term and multi-pronged response.
Members agreed to participate in and support the implementation of this process at the branch. The Programmes Manager was requested to share progress information with members to build ownership, especially with the youth committee.
