By Edwin Muhumuza

THE contribution of the youth since independence has been evident.

They must now renew their commitments and aspirations for the future by recognizing their large number, strategic importance and immense potential for the development of the country.

They should advocate for resources to promote their participation in the national development.

We should back up their commitments and aspirations based on the national development objectives and principles of State policy as enshrined in the Constitution, the National Youth Council Statute (1993) and Vision 2025.

The Government should fulfill its obligations as agreed upon at the International Conference on Population and Development (1994); the World Programme of Action for Youth (2000) and beyond; the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995); the Commonwealth Programme of Action for Youth Empowerment to the year 2005; the Lisbon Declaration (1998); and the East African Cooperation Treaty (1999). 

The youth should be treated as partners, stakeholders and as potential innovators.

The writer is an environmentalist