The Active Global Youth

On the occasion of Volunteers’ World Day celebrated every 5th December, Burundians’ volunteers have organized a workshop to sensitize young people to being change agents in their communities.By Lorraine Josiane Manishatse

Burundian young volunteers during the workshop. ”©Iwacu

The International Volunteers’ World Day is a good occasion to celebrate volunteers’ contributions in strengthening pe ace and improving development in the world. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to millions of youths who play a great role in order to change the world in their different societies. According to Yves Nijimbere, a young volunteer, Representative of the Organization Committee of the festivities, every 5th December, volunteers get an opportunity of showing up and exposing their activities, sharing experience with others and promoting the volunteering spirit. Justine Nkurunziza, the Chairperson of Civil Society Coalition for Electoral Monitoring “COSOME”, indicates that there exist 1O millions of volunteers grouped into 45 countries in the world. The youths must be important actors to play a great role in developing their communities. She invites them to contribute in the implementation of the 20-25 vision and Burundi government policy of Strategic Framework for Growth and Poverty Reduction PRSPII. According to her, youths shouldn’t be proud of being called the “Burundi of tomorrow” by their elders. To call them so, means that they don’t have any place in the government’s decisions.” Why Burundi of tomorrow? It is to infantilize you! It’s time you acted, built and changed your society,” she says.

“Young people can create their own jobs”

Jeanne Muvira, a Burundian Lady who likes to share her experience with young volunteers, states that youth shouldn’t lose their hope in their societies because they are more active and stronger than old people. Therefore, they should consider themselves as the actors of hopeful and positive changes in their nation. She invites young people to be their own employers. For her, different people know different things; each person is able to create his/her job. “As a whole mass present here, try to create something for your society’s development! Everyone is extraordinary and unique. Don’t say again that you are unemployed, you are innovators. The world is not there to receive but to give. Then, you are genuine potential experts!” she advices. According to Pacifique Nininahazwe, FOCODE Chairman, the youths find strength through unity. He begs them to fight together against anything that makes their societies inhabitable. “Give good examples to the new generation,” he insists. Many young volunteers who have intervened argued that changing their society was a good thing and they were ready to contribute, but there were still some challenges. According to them, Burundian authorities do not allow them to do it! “We are aware that our society needs change as it is featured by corruption, embezzlement, killings …. These people are our parents, uncles, families’ friends who are often responsible of those social evils. But, the change is difficult because they don’t leave any room to others who are considered as different,” deplores one volunteer who has participated in the workshop.