Youth key to realisation of sustainable development for all, says officer

Dar es Salaam. The government, civil society organisations (CSOs), industries, academia and members of the public have been urged to cooperate to attain sustainable development for all.

Speaking at the African-German Youth Initiative forum (AGYI) to redefine partnership and impacts on youth exchange for sustainable development, an officer at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr Johannes Lauber, said the youth were central to the realisation of sustainable development in the world.

"Youth exchange and international volunteer services can sustainably contribute to skills needed for this purpose because young people are potentially creative," he noted.

He said it was important for the youth in Europe and Africa to exchange ideas and increase awareness in global challenges and interdependence.

According to him, young people from the two continents should know how to work together in various projects and find solutions to common problems.

"Our government financially supports Tanzania through the Tanzania Youth Council (TYC) experienced in working with the youth, volunteering and exchange," he said.

Opening the two-day forum, National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) executive secretary Beng'i Issa Mazona said the pilot project also implemented in other African countries of South Africa and Benin would enable the country to realise sustainable development goals (SDGs) especially No 17.

"Therefore, the youth should proactively implement the project. While I call upon TYC to work together with the government in addressing challenges associated with the implementation of partnership programmes, they should bear in mind economic empowerment," she said.

TYC chairperson Hajra Mungula said volunteerism would expose the youth to knowledge, which was essential for realising sustainable development, noting that many young people lacked volunteerism.

TYC founder, who doubles as CCM ideology and publicity secretary Humphrey Polepole shared his 11-year experience of volunteerism, saying volunteering was an opportunity.

"Volunteerism pays although not in terms of monetary benefits. But, by working as a volunteer, you will be a unique person, exposed to the whole world and privileged with large networking," he said.