Call for Abstracts: Youth and Democratisation in Africa - Lessons Learnt and Comparative Experiences


Introduction:

The recent events in North Africa and the Middle Easton youth led revolts and rebellion in seeking voice, power, and economic empowerment constitute a manifest struggle for democratisation in those countries. These events have re-opened the discourse about democracy, democratisation and the role of youth in governance in the developing World. In Africa, it is estimated that youth constitute over 65 per cent of the population, which makes the youth question both a democratic and social question. A democratic question in that since young people constitute majority of the population, they should not be marginalised in the political and decision making processes of the state and society; and a social question to the extent that the society will have to deal with growing youth needs of employment, infrastructure and other social demands. The future result of the youth bulge in Africa is not obvious- it could either be positive or negative. It could be positive by creating a large labour reservoir, which can be harnessed for development, and for Africa to be the new growth pole in the 21st century. This is largely referred to as possible Africa’s demographic dividends. Contrarily, if the youth growth trend is not well harnessed, it could provide a band of ‘foot soldiers’ for conflicts, disorder and increased social problems in Africa.

The recent experience of North Africa is not unique or an isolated case. In the 1990s, Sub-Saharan African countries went through a process of popular revolts and rebellion aimed at ousting autocratic and authoritarian regimes and opening up the political space. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, East European Countries underwent the same process, while before that, Latin American countries undergone a flurry of democratic insurrections, which has radically changed the political landscape in Latin America. Although, the form, content and trajectory may have been different; but the essence and purpose were the same- to free the people from political tyranny, and despotism and enthrone democracy and the rule of law. The implication of this is that there are comparative perspectives that could be teased out in terms of experiences, lessons learned and policy attractions, which countries at different stages of democratisation can benefit from. Knowledge and experience sharing on the role of youth and democratisation may assist North African countries in managing the process of  political transition from authoritarian to one of a democratic and just society; for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to reflect and reform their policies on incorporating youth in the  governance processes of the state; and for countries in all regions of the developing world to benefit from each other from their comparative experiences in terms of best practices, challenges and prospects.  

 

Objectives

The main objective of the conference is to address the issue of youth and democratisation in Africawith emphasis on comparative experiences and lessons learned with implications for policy articulations and attractions for African countries, especially North African countries currently in the process of democratic transition. The comparative experiences will be on those of North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Europe and Latin America, with Africa as the main focus of comparison.

The specific objectives of the conference are: 

  • Discuss the diverse role, status and contributions of  youth in  the democratisation process in Africa;
  • Analyse relevant international, regional and national instruments and  frameworks  on the role of youth in the political process in Africa, and the progress, efficacy, challenges and limitations of those instruments;
  • Discuss the problem of youth unemployment in Africa and its implication for  democratisation efforts on  the continent, and proffer policy recommendations;
  • Examine the opportunities and challenges of Africa’s youth bulge on the democratization process on the continent;
  • Identify ways to institutionalise youth participation at all levels of government- Local, national,  regional and international levels;
  • Analyse and showcase comparative experiences of democratization from other parts of the developing world especially Eastern Europe,Latin America and the lessons therein for African countries;
  • Provide policy options on how the youth can be better integrated into the decision making and political processes inAfrica;

 

Sub-themes

The sub-themes for the conference are:

  • Youth, Democratisation and Good Governance: Conceptual and Theoretical Issues;
  • Youth and Popular Revolts-historical and contemporary dimensions;
  • Youth, ICTs, Social Media and Political Change;
  • Youth Culture and Political Resistance;
  • Youth, Electoral Process and Party Systems;
  • Youth, Unemployment and Social Discontent;
  • Young Women and the Struggle for Democratic Change;
  • Youth and Violence;
  • Youth, Globalisation and Democratic Change

 

Format of the Conference

There will be panels in plenary sessions and one round table discussion on the theme of youth and democratic change in Africa. The roundtable panel will be composed of youth activists and key policy makers on youth in Africa.

 

Participants at the Conference

Participants at the conference will include:

  • Scholars, academics and experts working on youth issues; 
  • Youth organisations, and groups and youth activists;
  • Youth and youth groups working in the social media;
  • Young  political leaders;
  • Policy makers, and political leaders;
  • Civil society organizations working on youth issues;
  • Regional and international organisations.

 

Submission of Abstracts:

All abstracts not more than two pages long should be submitted to the email addresses below not later than 15th June 2012. Prospective authors should indicate the sub-themes to which their abstracts belong on the front page of the abstracts. Successful abstracts will be notified by the end of 15th July 2012.  

agr@uneca.org and CC: m.Abdalla@idea.int 

 

Contact details:

Said Adejumobi,
OIC,
Governance and Public Administration Division (GPAD),
UNECA,
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
Email: sadejumobi@uneca.org, adesaid@yahoo.com
Tel: 251-912200066 (mobile), 251-115445495 (office line) 
 

Ms. Muna Abdalla
Head of International IDEA Office to the African Union
Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia,
Email: m.Abdalla@idea.int
Tel +251 1137 10913
+251 1137 10914
Fax: 0113 7109
P.O Box 20029
Website: www.idea.int

Owner: UN Economic Commission for Africa and the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Countries

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