On September 18, 2026, at the Maison des jeunes de Riyad, the Association NGARTAM pour la Paix et le Développement en Mauritania organized a conference-debate titled "THE DEBAT". The event was part of the "AGIR Ensemble" project, funded by the Fondation ACCRA/CISV, and brought together representatives from twenty associations and several young leaders from the commune. The conference aimed to discuss ways to foster youth inclusion and active participation in development, decision-making, and civic life.
The conference was attended by Mme Hawa Amadou War, coordinator of the YES/ENJEU project. In his welcome speech, M. Oumar Amadou Mbaye, president of the Association NGARTAM, thanked Mme Hawa Amadou War for her presence and praised the mobilization of associations and young leaders from Riyad. He emphasized that "THE DEBAT" was a follow-up to previous activities under the "AGIR Ensemble" project, which aims to promote youth civic participation in the commune of Riyad.
Mme Fatimata Sall, president of the Dispositif citoyen de Riyad, called on the youth to become agents of change. She stressed that the decisions made today directly influence the future of the youth and that they should not wait for change but become responsible actors in its realization. Mme Fatimata Sall encouraged the youth to overcome individual interests and defend the general interest, and to go beyond denouncing problems to understanding the stakes, proposing solutions, and participating in their implementation.
Mme Hawa Amadou War encouraged the initiative and engagement of the youth, praising the organization of the conference and the commitment of the associations members of the Dispositif citoyen de Riyad. She presented the objectives and main areas of intervention of CISV in Mauritania, as well as the orientations of the YES/ENJEU project. Mme Hawa Amadou War urged the youth to be dynamic, take initiatives, and engage more in the development of their commune and country.
The conference was animated using a participatory approach, allowing the youth to interact directly, share their experiences, and formulate their own proposals on the theme of the meeting. The consultant-trainer and animator of the conference-debate, M. Dame Ba, invited the participants to define the notions of "participation" and "inclusion" and to explain the difference between these two concepts. The discussions highlighted the main obstacles faced by the youth in their desire to participate in public life.
The participants shared their experiences, analyzed the difficulties encountered in their commune, and proposed adapted solutions. M. Dame Ba presented several axes likely to strengthen sustainably the participation and inclusion of the youth, including the reinforcement of their capacities. The conference aimed to allow the youth to better understand their role in the development of their commune and to transform their ideas into concrete civic initiatives.
Key stakeholders emphasized the importance of creating safe and accessible spaces for youth to learn, have fun, practice sports, use digital tools, develop their talents, and express their concerns. The creation of such spaces was deemed essential for the future of the commune and the country.
Key points
- The conference-debate "THE DEBAT" aimed to promote youth participation in development and decision-making processes in Mauritania.
- The event was part of the "AGIR Ensemble" project, funded by the Fondation ACCRA/CISV.
- The conference brought together representatives from twenty associations and several young leaders from the commune of Riyad.
