Official launch of a civic and electoral education program for young people in the DRC
In order to encourage the participation of young people in the electoral process and to combat distrust of the latter, a ceremony marking the official launch of a civic and electoral education program was held recently in Kinshasa. , in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative, set up by the United States Embassy in the DRC, aims to raise awareness among young people of the importance of their voice in the electoral process and to encourage them to get actively involved.
The ceremony was chaired by Lucy Tamlyn, United States Ambassador to the DRC, accompanied by her communications advisor, Jessica Monica. Several authorities and implementing partners were also present, such as the representative of the rector of the Protestant University of Congo and the representative of the coordinator of the provincial youth council.
During this event, certificates were presented to the facilitators trained under this program. These facilitators, from various university backgrounds, will have the mission of transmitting the knowledge acquired during the training to young people, through exchange sessions and citizen cafés. They will play a key role in training responsible citizens who are aware of the importance of the electoral process.
In her speech, Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn highlighted the United States’ commitment to supporting the DRC in the electoral process, in order to encourage young people to take ownership of this process and understand the impact of their right to vote . She also recalled that the December elections represent a crucial opportunity for the country to build a more prosperous future for the Congolese people.
This civic and electoral education program aims to bridge the gap between young people and the electoral process. Indeed, previous elections were marked by low participation of young people, who were often excluded from discussions and decision-making that concerned them. This program therefore aims to make young people responsible for the electoral process and to strengthen their capacities so that they can make an informed choice during the next elections.
In conclusion, this civic and electoral education program represents an important step in promoting youth participation in the electoral process in the DRC. By encouraging young people to become aware of the importance of their voice and by training them in the challenges of the electoral process, it contributes to the construction of a participatory and inclusive democracy in the country.