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AFRONICARAGUAN YOUTH II REGIONALENCOUNTER
Nicaragua Caribbean CoastNicaragua Caribbean CoastAfrodescendant YouthAfrodescendant Youth
- challenges and opportunities in a new- challenges and opportunities in a new
centurycentury
ConferenceConference
Youth political and social participation; challengesYouth political and social participation; challenges
and opportunitiesand opportunities
Francisco
October 1, 2009
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I`m sick and tired, of being sickand tired
Fannie Lou Hamer, at the National DemocratConvention. 1968, U.S.
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participation; challenges andopportunities
Youth (young people) is defined
as a sector of the populationwhose ages range between 18and 30 years. This definition isvague and does notcontemplate the following
aspects: Needs and hopes of the sector
of the population
Their diversity and identity
It does not view young peopleas citizens, instead it viewsthem as a numerical data.
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participation; challenges andopportunities
Along with this definition that is verycommon in our society, there are someelements that are usually associated toyouth; among these the most outstandingare: Youth: a transition period
Youth: a period of problems and difficulties
Youth: active citizen
Youth: active in development processes
It is in the last two approaches what itmeans to be young, where we can find amore fair approach and based on rights,promoting inclusion and facilitating the
deconstruction of social relations thatdiscriminate and exclude young people,their remaining development opportunitiesand personal fulfillment (opportunities forpursuit of happiness).
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participation; challenges andopportunities
In particular, we would discuss /
analyze these definitions ofwhat itmeans to be young, affect ourdevelopment and in particular,forms and spaces in which weparticipate, whether political orsocial spaces.
To this end, we assume thatparticipation in a right, linked tothe civil and political humanrights, so in principle theparticipation of youth should be
viewed as the guarantee and theexercise of a human right foryouths.
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participation; challenges andopportunities Furthermore, we present two types of
participation:
1. Political participation: Politicalparticipation is viewed as the compromiseindividual and group has towards thepolitical processes, and is defined as: allthose activities done by citizens with theobjective of intervening in the assigning ofpublic officials or influencing the formation
of state policies.
2. Social participation: is recognized ascollective actions done by associations andnetworks motivated by an objective thatdoes not pertain directly to the state.(spirit, mission, philosophy, ideology etc.)
Examples of this participation are theassociations that promote social solidarity(out or within their communities),characterized by informal organizationswith and horizontal relationship amongtheir associates.
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participation; challenges andopportunities These forms of participation in
the youth express themselves indifferent contexts, society andethnic groups, but in the case ofNicaragua, and especially theCaribbean coast, is important toconsider that: The youth participate less than
adults Are constituted as most people on
the Caribbean coast Participate in political parties less
than adults Are more calls for voluntary social
action on issues of environmentalprotection and they feel moreidentified with religious youthgroups, because they listen them.
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participation; challenges andopportunities
In the autonomous regime particular context we find:1. That Young people do not know the history of the
autonomy, the history of the Caribbean Coast, andtherefore, their autonomic rights and opportunities formunicipal participation.
2. Of those that know how to participate in municipalaffairs, only 5% has participated more than once.
3. They have a negative perception of the authorities of theRegional Council and Regional Government. Theyconsider that they are corrupted and do not comply withtheir functions.
4. They consider that the Autonomous Regime does notcomply with their interests and needs as young people.
5. They consider that autonomy is an ideal written on paperthat has not yet materialized.
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Based on these expressions
of youth (afrodescentant,miskitos and mestizos),there is need to formulatesome questions for jointreflection:
Is their any interest for youngafrodescendants to participate inpublic political spaces? (RegionalGovernment, Regional Council,Municipality, Communal DirectiveBoard)
What are the obstacles we face?
participation; challenges and
opportunities
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If, even with the obstacles,
there is still interest, whatdo we intend to achievewith our participation?
Can we contribute to thedevelopment of the
Region, the municipality orthe community if we areinvolved and participate indevelopment processes?Are we willing to fight forour rights and ensure they
are complied?
Can we contribute to thefulfillment of theAutonomous Regime? Arewe interested in doing so?
participation; challenges andopportunities
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participation; challenges andopportunities
In a particular way we can see opportunities andchallenges for youth in social and politicalparticipation:o We need to participate much more in the different
regional, municipal and communal space.o We (youth) need be consider as citizens; regional
development and autonomic regime protagonist.o Open real space to promote the development of youth.o Participate to:
Destroy al stereotype around youth.Demands our rights.
Consider youth as protagonist actors for regional developmentand autonomic regime strengthening.
Try to enable our development as young people, and createconditions for social development.
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"I like people that vibrates, that we shouldnot push, do not have to tell you to do the
thing, but who knows what to do, and then doit"
Mario Benedetti, Uruguayan poet