The vast majority of youth in Africa are vulnerable and at risk – they face poverty, poor education opportunities, high levels of unemployment, exploitation by politicians or opposition forces, and abuse in the home and community. Large numbers are directly affected by HIV/AIDS and as a result many children must act as primary providers in the household.
Growing up as subjects, the youth of Africa lack the opportunity to develop as citizens with rights, spaces and places to speak out. They are not heard and are unable to make a change in their community or country. Recognising that youth in Africa are not empowered as citizens, but are manipulated as subjects due to bad politics and socio-economic circumstances, the Africa Alliance developed a youth civic competence model.
Entitled ‘From Subject to Citizen – building the civic competence of young people in Africa’, the civic competence model focuses on creating voice, space and ability to influence. This model aims to give space to the youth to raise their voices and make them heard for a more just social, political and economic world order.
This concept has been dubbed ‘4rm S2C’ by the youth themselves, through extensive consultation and involvement in the development process.
It focuses on:
• Developing skills and confidence for youth to be able to communicate about issues that affect them;
• Creating platforms and avenues for youth to articulate these issues; and
• Advocacy, lobbying and the ability to influence those in authority for meaningful change that will impact positively on youth’s lives and ensure full empowerment.
S2C has three core programmes: Civic Action, Gender Action and Youth Justice. These programmes involve various tools, activities and processes such as:
• Rights education;
• Renaissance Clinics as safe spaces for young women;
• Paralegal systems for grass roots and court interventions;
• Campaigns to draw attention to different issues;
• Lobbying for support from stakeholders;
• Representation in decision-making bodies;
• ‘Think tank’ Renaissance Clubs (R-Clubs) for working youth or those at tertiary institutions; and
• Y-Clubs for school-going youth to implement projects.
