Engaging Youth, Envisioning Futures: Youth Impact Global and National Agendas

Engaging Youth, Envisioning Futures: Youth Impact Global and National Agendas

Over 200 young Tanzanians recently convened in Dar es Salaam for a two-day national youth consultation, preparing for the upcoming Summit of the Future and deliberating on the Tanzania Development Vision (TDV) 2050. Organized by the United Nations in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, and the Planning Commission of the President’s Office, the event was a vibrant platform for youth engagement in global and national development agendas.

The Summit of the Future, set for September 22-23, 2024, in New York, aims to rejuvenate global cooperation and advance sustainable development through inclusive engagement and future-oriented governance. As Tanzania gears up for this significant event, the national youth consultation served as a crucial preparatory step, ensuring that the voices of young Tanzanians are heard on the global stage.

Ambassador Noel Kaganda, Director of Multilateral Cooperation, emphasized the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, stating, “Both the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar have enacted youth development policies & established special ministerial dockets to deal with youth affairs.” This commitment underscores the integral role of youth in shaping policy and driving social change.

Reflecting on the importance of giving young people a platform to be heard, UNFPA Country Representative, Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner, speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania, highlighted the strategic importance of the youth’s contributions. “This gathering is a testament to your crucial role in shaping both the Summit of the Future and the TDV 2050. Your insights and aspirations will drive our nation forward, ensuring that the policies we craft and the initiatives we undertake resonate with your experiences, challenges, aspirations, and vision for the future.”

Under the leadership of the Planning Commission and the United Nations Association (UNA), participants engaged in group work to articulate views, challenges, and recommendations for the TDV 2050. The TDV 2050, is currently being formulated and will be the nation’s development roadmap for decades to come, aiming to transform Tanzania into a more prosperous and sustainable society. 

“I encourage each of you to channel the discussions and learnings from global themes into our national context. Your fresh perspectives are crucial as we aim to integrate these global insights with our local realities, crafting policies and strategies that are both innovative and inclusive,” emphasized the Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tanzania, Ms. Shabnam Mallick.

By bridging global dialogues with national development planning, the event contributed towards empowering young Tanzanians to take an active role in shaping their country’s future. The inputs collected are set to be submitted to the national writing team currently drafting the TDV 2050, contributing towards a blueprint for Tanzania’s future that is both robust and reflective of its youthful populace’s ambitions. They will also inform the participation of Tanzania’s delegation that will be participating in the Summit of the Future later this year.

The consultation exemplified Tanzania’s proactive approach to incorporating youth in governance and policy-making, aligning with the global objective of the Summit to foster effective cooperation for addressing contemporary challenges. As Tanzania continues to advocate for inclusive and sustainable development, the insights from its youth will contribute to more resilient and responsive governance, both locally and globally.