Juventud Afrodescendiente

8/14/2019 Juventud Afrodescendiente

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AFRONICARAGUAN YOUTH II REGIONALENCOUNTER

Nicaragua Caribbean CoastNicaragua Caribbean CoastAfrodescendant YouthAfrodescendant Youth

- challenges and opportunities in a new- challenges and opportunities in a new

centurycentury

ConferenceConference

Youth political and social participation; challengesYouth political and social participation; challenges

and opportunitiesand opportunities

Francisco

October 1, 2009


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I`m sick and tired, of being sickand tired

Fannie Lou Hamer, at the National DemocratConvention. 1968, U.S.


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participation; challenges andopportunities

Youth (young people) is defined

as a sector of the populationwhose ages range between 18and 30 years. This definition isvague and does notcontemplate the following

aspects: Needs and hopes of the sector

of the population

Their diversity and identity

It does not view young peopleas citizens, instead it viewsthem as a numerical data.


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Along with this definition that is verycommon in our society, there are someelements that are usually associated toyouth; among these the most outstandingare: Youth: a transition period

Youth: a period of problems and difficulties

Youth: active citizen

Youth: active in development processes

It is in the last two approaches what itmeans to be young, where we can find amore fair approach and based on rights,promoting inclusion and facilitating the

deconstruction of social relations thatdiscriminate and exclude young people,their remaining development opportunitiesand personal fulfillment (opportunities forpursuit of happiness).


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In particular, we would discuss /

analyze these definitions ofwhat itmeans to be young, affect ourdevelopment and in particular,forms and spaces in which weparticipate, whether political orsocial spaces.

To this end, we assume thatparticipation in a right, linked tothe civil and political humanrights, so in principle theparticipation of youth should be

viewed as the guarantee and theexercise of a human right foryouths.


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participation; challenges andopportunities Furthermore, we present two types of

participation:

1. Political participation: Politicalparticipation is viewed as the compromiseindividual and group has towards thepolitical processes, and is defined as: allthose activities done by citizens with theobjective of intervening in the assigning ofpublic officials or influencing the formation

of state policies.

2. Social participation: is recognized ascollective actions done by associations andnetworks motivated by an objective thatdoes not pertain directly to the state.(spirit, mission, philosophy, ideology etc.)

Examples of this participation are theassociations that promote social solidarity(out or within their communities),characterized by informal organizationswith and horizontal relationship amongtheir associates.


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participation; challenges andopportunities These forms of participation in

the youth express themselves indifferent contexts, society andethnic groups, but in the case ofNicaragua, and especially theCaribbean coast, is important toconsider that: The youth participate less than

adults Are constituted as most people on

the Caribbean coast Participate in political parties less

than adults Are more calls for voluntary social

action on issues of environmentalprotection and they feel moreidentified with religious youthgroups, because they listen them.


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In the autonomous regime particular context we find:1. That Young people do not know the history of the

autonomy, the history of the Caribbean Coast, andtherefore, their autonomic rights and opportunities formunicipal participation.

2. Of those that know how to participate in municipalaffairs, only 5% has participated more than once.

3. They have a negative perception of the authorities of theRegional Council and Regional Government. Theyconsider that they are corrupted and do not comply withtheir functions.

4. They consider that the Autonomous Regime does notcomply with their interests and needs as young people.

5. They consider that autonomy is an ideal written on paperthat has not yet materialized.


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Based on these expressions

of youth (afrodescentant,miskitos and mestizos),there is need to formulatesome questions for jointreflection:

Is their any interest for youngafrodescendants to participate inpublic political spaces? (RegionalGovernment, Regional Council,Municipality, Communal DirectiveBoard)

What are the obstacles we face?

participation; challenges and

opportunities


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If, even with the obstacles,

there is still interest, whatdo we intend to achievewith our participation?

Can we contribute to thedevelopment of the

Region, the municipality orthe community if we areinvolved and participate indevelopment processes?Are we willing to fight forour rights and ensure they

are complied?

Can we contribute to thefulfillment of theAutonomous Regime? Arewe interested in doing so?



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In a particular way we can see opportunities andchallenges for youth in social and politicalparticipation:o We need to participate much more in the different

regional, municipal and communal space.o We (youth) need be consider as citizens; regional

development and autonomic regime protagonist.o Open real space to promote the development of youth.o Participate to:

Destroy al stereotype around youth.Demands our rights.

Consider youth as protagonist actors for regional developmentand autonomic regime strengthening.

Try to enable our development as young people, and createconditions for social development.


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"I like people that vibrates, that we shouldnot push, do not have to tell you to do the

thing, but who knows what to do, and then doit"

Mario Benedetti, Uruguayan poet

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