Civic engagement is the foundation of a prosperous and equitable democratic society. It is the voice of citizens that shapes policy, strengthens communities and drives change. Yet civic engagement is not innate; it needs to be cultivated and encouraged, particularly among young people. With this in mind, the association Jeunesse Eveil Conscience (JEC), in partnership with the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), organized a day of activities focusing on Civic Engagement and Advocacy at RFLD headquarters in Porto-Novo, Benin, on Tuesday August 29, 2023.
Nurturing commitment from youth
The activity began with a warm welcome, where participants were immersed in an environment conducive to engagement. Attendance was confirmed, and participants were invited to briefly introduce themselves, thus fostering fruitful encounters and collaborations. Ms Mariam GNENAGNON, Secretary General of the association and representative of the President of the RFLD, welcomed the joint initiative and encouraged the young people to apply the skills they had acquired and share them with others. Mr. Christian HOUEGNANFODE, President of JEC, underlined the importance of this day as a step towards sustainable civic engagement among young people. The Porto-Novo Town Hall, represented by Mr. Heulèche TOGNONMEGNI, reaffirmed its support for youth initiatives in community development.
Leadership and Civic Engagement
The first presentation of the day, led by Sylvana AYIHONSI, Executive Director of the NGO Agro MEC BENIN, highlighted leadership as an essential skill for effective advocacy. Leadership was defined as the ability to guide a team and positively influence the community. Ms. AYIHONSI presented the key characteristics of a leader, including ambition, energy, integrity and competence, underlining the need to develop these qualities in young people.
The presentation also stressed that associative life is a powerful means of developing young people’s leadership skills. Ms. AYIHONSI encouraged participants to get actively involved in associations that correspond to their convictions and interests. She underlined the benefits of associative life, such as skills development, contribution to local development, CV enhancement and the opportunity to express and defend opinions.
Jeunesse Engagée pour un Avenir Prometteur (Committed Youth for a Promising Future)
The second presentation of the day, moderated by Mr. Heulèche TOGNONMEGNI, highlighted the crucial importance of civic engagement among young people and their active participation in community life. Mr. TOGNONMEGNI recalled that young people represent a large part of the population and must play a central role in development. However, he noted a lack of civic engagement among young people, and called for a change of mentality and immediate action.
To illustrate his point, Mr. TOGNONMEGNI shared his own journey as an associative activist, demonstrating how commitment can have a positive impact on society. He presented various socio-economic projects as concrete examples of actions that young people can undertake to contribute to the well-being of the community. Practical exercises were also proposed to stimulate reflection and commitment among participants.
Advocacy and Lobbying: The Tools of Change
The third and final presentation of the day, by Mr. Aubin KPOVIESSI, focused on advocacy and lobbying as powerful tools for influencing political decisions and promoting important causes. Mr. KPOVIESSI explained that lobbying aims to influence decision-makers, while advocacy involves pleading in favor of a cause to protect the interests of a given group.
He discussed the benefits and risks of advocacy, pointing out that advocacy can increase visibility, facilitate networking and gain support from international organizations, but it can also generate opposition and challenges. Mr. KPOVIESSI presented a six-step advocacy process, including analysis, strategy, message, planning, implementation and monitoring-evaluation. He encouraged young people to actively engage in advocacy to promote positive change in their communities.
Youth ready to act
The activity day on “Civic Engagement and Advocacy” was a crucial step in empowering young people to become active and responsible citizens. Presentations, discussions and workshops enabled participants to acquire new skills, understand the importance of civic engagement and feel motivated to act for the good of their community. With engaged youth ready to advocate for positive change, the future looks bright for development in Benin and beyond.
The YEC and RFLD initiative in Benin highlights the positive impact that civic engagement education can have on young people, strengthening democracy, social justice and prosperity for all. It represents an inspiring model for communities around the world seeking to raise civic awareness and promote participation by all.
