In Senegal, a group of young creatives is taking steps to ensure a sustainable legacy from the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. The first "Let's Talk Youth Olympics" dialogue was held in Pikine, bringing together young artists, public officials, and cultural stakeholders. The meeting aimed to gather priorities from young creators, with recommendations to be presented to authorities. The discussions centered on the challenges faced by young artists, including access to training, income, and decision-making opportunities.
The dialogue, organized by Polaris Asso and Africulturban with support from the Swiss Embassy in Senegal, was attended by high-profile guests, including Swiss Ambassador Tamara Mona, Abdoulaye Gaye, deputy director of Arts at the Ministry of Culture, and Bineta Ndack, head of the West pole at the Professional Training and Technical Education Fund (3FPT). Representatives from Pikine's city council and local municipalities also participated. The event marked the beginning of a series of four dialogues focusing on cultural and creative industries.
Coumba Ndoye, a 24-year-old artist known as Warwuba, emphasized the need for professional recognition, advocating for qualifying and certifying training in cultural and digital fields. She also called for more equitable access to creative spaces, stressing the importance of providing opportunities for young artists in regional areas without forcing them to move to Dakar. Her sentiments were echoed by other participants, who highlighted the need for sustainable support and resources.
Amadou Aw, a 27-year-old singer, composer, and guitarist, linked creative expression to civic engagement. He argued that art can amplify the voices of marginalized communities and support local action, provided that young people have a say in decision-making processes. Oulimata Sow, a 21-year-old photographer, raised questions about the long-term impact of the Youth Olympics on artistic practices, infrastructure, and professional integration.
Ousseynou Gueye, executive director of Polaris Asso, framed the discussions as a democratic exercise, emphasizing the importance of participation and representation. Citing a report that young people make up only 6% of municipal council members in Senegal, he encouraged them to engage with dialogue platforms, associations, and representation mechanisms. Local authorities also presented their initiatives to support youth development.
The city of Pikine has invested over 300 million CFA francs in a youth center and provided nearly 4 billion CFA francs in study grants over the past decade. The mayor's representative called on young people to engage in public life and prepare to take on responsibilities within local authorities. Matador, a rapper and founder of Africulturban, stressed the transformative power of culture and sports, advocating for sustained support and trust in young people's capacity to design and implement projects.
Future dialogues will focus on local governance, youth entrepreneurship, and a final discussion after the Olympics to prioritize recommendations for high-level authorities. Polaris Asso plans to synthesize contributions, transmit them to relevant stakeholders, and provide feedback to participants, ensuring continued engagement beyond the meetings.
Key points
- Young artists in Senegal are pushing for professional recognition, equitable access to creative spaces, and participation in decision-making processes.
