Young people and civic and electoral education: a crucial issue for the DRC
The official launch ceremony of the civic and electoral education program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took place recently, marking an important step in raising awareness and mobilizing young people around the electoral process. The initiative, supported by the United States Embassy, aims to promote the participation of young people in political life and strengthen their knowledge of election-related issues.
The delivery of certificates to the facilitators trained for this project marked the start of this process. Among these facilitators are students from the Protestant University of Congo as well as former grant holders of the access program. Their role will be to transmit the knowledge acquired during their training and to engage in discussions with the young participants in order to raise their awareness of their role as responsible citizens in the electoral process.
US Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn presented this project as a way to promote youth participatory democracy and facilitate their full involvement in the decision-making process. She stressed the importance of active participation of young people in elections to build a prosperous future for the Congolese people.
This initiative comes at a critical time when youth participation in elections in the DRC has been historically low. It is essential to break this trend by providing young people with the tools necessary to understand the importance of their voice and their vote.
The civic and electoral education program does not aim to favor a particular candidate, but to empower young people by giving them the means to make informed choices during elections. It emphasizes citizen action, going beyond the simple act of voting, by encouraging young people to actively engage with elected officials and express their opinions and concerns.
It is encouraging to see the United States’ commitment to the DRC, particularly as the 2023 elections approach. This support demonstrates the importance placed on civic and electoral education for young Congolese and the desire to promote their active participation in the democratic process.
In conclusion, the launch of the civic and electoral education program in the DRC constitutes a crucial step in mobilizing young people and promoting their role in the political life of the country. By giving them the necessary knowledge and tools, this initiative aims to create a generation of responsible citizens, aware of the importance of their voice and ready to actively participate in elections.