1. eGovernance for in-school adolescents in West Africa Development Information Network (DevNet) Mainland Hotel, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, NIGERIA. 25 June 2003. ‘Gbenga Sesan Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com YOUTH INCLUSION IN POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT

2. OVERVIEW  What about Policy?  Policies and Development  Youth as a Stakeholder  Case Studies  Discussions  Conclusion

3. What about Policy? 1.Policies are documents that seek to guide the action-steps taken by an entity – organization, nation, regions 2.Policies must have direction – address a specific issues or a spectrum of related issues 3.Policies are a result of research and hard work 4.Policies demand skills and competence in the area of concern 5.Policies must have specific content, identify present situation, present further action, provide guidelines & best practices, and have a timeframe for delivery 6.Policies must be backed up by legal instruments or must be given “teeth” as most appropriate

4. Policies and Development 1.Policies are always directed towards development – of institutions, structures/infrastructure, sectors or services 2.Policy may not translate into development if it is not “empowered” 3.Policy may remain a “paper tiger” if it is not implemented 4.A good policy will create “positive atmosphere” for development and opportunities for the same 5.Policies require a pre-determined process and the process must be S.M.A.R.T. – Simple. Measurable. Accountable. Responsive. Transparent. 6.Policies may need to be reviewed or “upgraded”

5. Youth as a Stakeholder 1.Global policy processes are adopting the “multi-stakeholder” partnership model – academia, NGOs, government, civil society, private sector, special interest groups (Women, Youth, Minorities, etc) 2.Young people, as the proof of the success of any policy implementation and sustainability, are stakeholders in policy and development processes 3.Equipping and involving youth in policy and development processes increases understanding and bridges the “generation gap” 4.Young people know how to “use” peer pressure in publicizing what they believe in. Involving the youth increases awareness

6. Case Studies 1.African youths advise the ITU and African leaders on how the use of Information and Communication Technologies for Africa’s Development – November 2001 2.Nigerian youths address the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Information and Communication Technologies – March 2002 3.World’s Youth make impact at the United Nations’ World Summit on the Information Society – July 2002, and ongoing 4.Kenyan youths decide Kenya’s role in the global Information Society – August 2003 5.African Youth Initiative networks Africa’s youth towards bridging the Digital Divide - Ongoing

7. Discussions 1.What do you do when you are asked to join a policy process? 2.What do you do when you are not asked to join a policy and development process, but wish to be involved? 3.What skills do you require in order to be effective in your policy and development involvements? 4.Describe a situation in which you were involved in a policy and development process – invited or not 5.What policy process do you wish to be involved with after this workshop, and why? 6.You have been appointed as your country’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, what will your 2-minute opening speech be?

8. Conclusion 1.You must begin to think about the career you wish to pursue from this moment. Your career path will determine which area of the nation’s economy will interest you, and in which your impact can be felt the most 2.Take some time out to write down your plans for the next 5 years, and update the plan from time to time. Those who plan never miss opportunities 3.Africa needs a new generation of focused youth who will prepare for tomorrow today. Only prepared youth can contribute to national development 4.The future of West Africa depends on the decisions and actions of today’s youth. The parable of the bird in the hand…

9. eGovernance for in-school adolescents in West Africa Development Information Network (DevNet) Mainland Hotel, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, NIGERIA. 24 June 2003. ‘Gbenga Sesan Nigeria’s Information Technology Youth Ambassador www.gbengasesan.com | me@gbengasesan.com YOUTH INCLUSION IN POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT THANK YOU