Youth come together in constructive dialogue to shape the future of the province.
In the context of the challenges facing Angolan youth, the Provincial Youth Forum was held at the Serra da Chela Hotel, with the aim of helping to increase youth participation in decision-making processes in Huíla province.
The day was marked by intense sessions that began with a welcome speech by Hélder Bahu, President of ISCED – Huíla. This was followed by Manuel das Mangas, focal point for PASCAL (a project funded by the European Union) in Huíla, and Teófilo Kaingona, PASCAL’s specialist in Governance and Territorial Innovation, addressing the topic of “Open Governments: Principles of open governments, levels of participation and the public innovation hexagon”.
The forum served as a dynamic platform for discussion, the exchange of ideas, and the formulation of strategies focused on strengthening youth participation in local development. Participants engaged in various interactive activities, including:
- Debates on solutions to local problems, with a view to integrating these solutions into the province’s governance policies.
- Promoting interactions between young people from different sectors, with the aim of increasing social cohesion and constructive dialog.
- Documentation of specific concerns and strategies to influence political and administrative decisions.
The event culminated in the presentation of a document of recommendations, drawn up on the basis of the day’s discussions, which will be used as a reference for future public policy initiatives.
This forum not only highlighted the importance of the youth voice in shaping a sustainable future for Huíla, but also reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to the effective inclusion of young people in the dialogues and actions that shape regional governance.