A recent gathering of young people in Dakar, Senegal, has led to a set of proposals aimed at increasing youth participation in local governance. The second citizen dialogue, "Let's Talk JOJ," was organized on October 31 by Polaris Asso with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Senegal. The event is part of a series of four dialogues held in conjunction with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The goal is to generate recommendations from young people and discuss them with decision-makers.
Ousseynou Gueye, executive director of Polaris Asso, expressed concern that young people are often talked about but not enough with. He encouraged young people to engage more in democratic spaces, especially with the upcoming municipal elections, by registering on electoral lists, voting, and considering running for office. The dialogue featured three presenters who offered concrete proposals. Fatou Touré, national rapporteur of the Senegalese Youth Consultative Council, suggested establishing a permanent consultation and co-decision framework between young people and municipal councils in each commune.
Touré also recommended a dedicated budget line for youth projects to reduce their reliance on ad-hoc funding. Babacar Gérard Mbaye, a municipal agent in charge of youth programs and community participation in Cambérène, advocated for the revitalization of neighborhood councils. His "Quatuor" initiative involves a monthly week of consultation and three weeks dedicated to implementing selected initiatives. Mbaye also suggested using digital tools like WhatsApp to facilitate communication with local authorities.
Pape Ousmane Badiane, a municipal councilor in Thiaroye-sur-Mer and an associative actor, argued that sports and cultural associations should be recognized as local development partners, rather than being mobilized sporadically for political purposes. He proposed establishing consultation frameworks, annual commitments, and performance conventions for sports, culture, and citizenship. These proposals were well-received by several elected officials, including Khadija Mahécore Diouf, mayor of Golf Sud.
Diouf encouraged young people to move from criticism to action and take ownership of their role in local governance. Magueye Boye, mayor of Khombole, expressed support for intergenerational governance. The event was attended by several high-level officials, including Patricia Danzi, ambassador and director general of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency, and Tamara Mona, Swiss ambassador to Senegal.
The next dialogue will focus on youth entrepreneurship, and a closing meeting will be held to transmit priority recommendations to national authorities. The proposals from the dialogues aim to enhance youth participation in local decision-making processes and ensure that their voices are heard. The event demonstrated the commitment of young people in Senegal to contribute to the development of their communities.
The gathering also highlighted the importance of collaboration between young people, local authorities, and international partners in promoting youth empowerment and participation in governance. The Swiss Embassy's support for the event reflects the importance of international cooperation in fostering youth development and participation in Senegal.
Key points
- Young people in Senegal are seeking greater involvement in municipal decision-making processes through proposals such as permanent consultation frameworks and dedicated budget lines for youth projects.
