By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Association in Uganda (UNAU) has called for a shift from tokenism to meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes, particularly in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The call was made by Linda Asaba, UNAU’s Programs Manager and project coordinator for the Accelerate SDGs initiative in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, during the opening of a two-day Youth Advocacy for SDGs Implementation event.
The event, which brought together young leaders from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, is part of a broader initiative supported by the United Nations Association of Finland. The first day was focused on peer-to-peer learning, where participants shared experiences from their respective countries. The second day will be dedicated to actionable plans, where participants will develop strategies to translate their learning into tangible actions within their communities.
While Linda acknowledged the efforts of both the government and private sectors to involve youth, she questioned the depth and authenticity of such engagement. “We need to ask ourselves whether youth participation is truly meaningful or if it’s just tokenism—checking a box without real impact,” she said.
Asaba pointed out the example of youth sounding boards, groups of young people brought in to evaluate projects they were not part of creating. “Yes, you have young people evaluating your project, but they were not involved in its development. How can they evaluate it effectively if they weren’t included from the start?” she asked, stressing the importance of involving young people in every stage of project development, not just at the end.
The UNAU Programs Manager emphasized the need for youth to be equipped with the tools to understand, interpret, and act on policies. “Policies may be made, but can young people engage with them meaningfully? If they are created without their input, there’s a disconnect. That’s what we are working to address,” Asaba explained.
Additionally, Asaba encouraged young people to move beyond complacency and take initiative in their own learning. She challenged them to step out of their comfort zones, actively seek knowledge, and utilize both online and offline resources.
“78% of Uganda’s population is young people. While we may not have the resources to reach all of them, those we do reach are different. I urge every young person to challenge themselves, to become uncomfortable with ignorance, and pursue the information they need to make meaningful change,” she urged.
The event marks a pivotal moment in youth engagement, aiming to empower the next generation to take ownership of their role in the SDGs and become active contributors to their communities’ development. UNAU continues to work towards equipping young Ugandans with the knowledge and tools they need to not only participate but to lead in shaping a sustainable future.
