In a workshop organized in Mbandaka, the capital of Équateur province, over 60 young indigenous pygmies from various civic structures were sensitized to civic education and citizenship. The workshop, which was organized by the NGO "ERGO Group Force" in collaboration with "Équateur Magazine", aimed to promote conscious citizenship, entrepreneurial culture, and good governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The participants were equipped with knowledge on five fundamental citizen rights and three concrete steps to assert their participation in building a Congolese society.
According to Daniella Mabanzo, provincial coordinator of "Équateur Magazine", the workshop targeted young people from the pygmy community who often face exclusion from the classical school curriculum due to their semi-nomadic lifestyle and lack of adaptation of public policies to their situation. The sensitization aimed to enable them to respond fully to their needs through key concepts and practical tools of civism, entrepreneurship, and citizenship. The participants were drawn from different structures in the Équateur province.
The workshop was unique in that it targeted young people from the pygmy community who are often marginalized. The pygmy community, which is estimated to be nearly one million people spread across more than half of the national territory, faces significant challenges in accessing education and participating in civic life. The organizers of the workshop sought to address these challenges by providing the participants with essential knowledge and skills to enable them to participate fully in the construction of a Congolese society.
The trainer, Me Fabrice Indombe, and the supervisor, Mr. Chancard Lofalo, expressed satisfaction with the participants' assimilation of basic notions of citizenship, patriotism, and prosperity. The workshop was part of the program "Young, exercise your citizenship!", which aims to promote conscious citizenship and good governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The program is implemented by the NGO "ERGO Group Force" in collaboration with "Équateur Magazine".
The participants were sensitized on key concepts such as civic education, citizenship, and entrepreneurship. They were also equipped with practical tools to enable them to assert their rights and participate in the construction of a Congolese society. The workshop provided a platform for the participants to share their experiences and perspectives, and to learn from each other.
The Équateur province is one of the provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the pygmy community is found. The province is located in the northwestern part of the country and is home to a diverse population. The workshop was a significant step towards promoting the rights and participation of the pygmy community in the province.
The success of the workshop is a testament to the importance of promoting civic education and citizenship among young people, particularly those from marginalized communities. The organizers of the workshop plan to continue implementing similar programs in other parts of the country to promote conscious citizenship and good governance.
Key points
- The workshop was organized by the NGO "ERGO Group Force" in collaboration with "Équateur Magazine" to promote conscious citizenship and good governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
