Netherlands ambassador launches youth empowerment project
Oct 05, 2018
“The Future is now builds on from other successful projects like Empower a Youth and Build a Nation, My Voice, My Vote, My Country, and Youth Rock the Nation, which have equipped the youth with skills and information which has in turn built their confidence to participate in democratic processes and hold their leaders accountable.”
There was unprecedented celebration and jubilation at the premises of Communication Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) in Ntinda, Kampala as the organisation unveiled a new youth empowerment project.
The project, the Future is Now, is designed to inspire and motivate the youth to participate in democratic governance in order to become leaders of today. It was launched by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Henk Jan Bakker, who is also the Chair of Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a partner organisation with CDFU.
Ambassador Henk Jan Bakker poses for a group photo with the staff and stakeholders of CDFU
The executive director of CDFU, Anne Gamurorwa said the new project was yet another 12-month multi-media/multi-channel communication campaign aimed at empowering young people (15-30 years) to engage with their leaders and also hold them accountable.
“The Future is now builds on from other successful projects like Empower a Youth and Build a Nation, My Voice, My Vote, My Country, and Youth Rock the Nation, which have equipped the youth with skills and information which has in turn built their confidence to participate in democratic processes and hold their leaders accountable.”
Clowns entertaining the guests
Henk commended CDFU for their innovative approach through the drama series Rock Point 256 that is meant to provide information and promote debate amongst Ugandans, in particular the youths. He asked the stakeholders to maximise and utilise the potential of youth in contributing towards national development.
He emphasised the importance of investing in youth programming owing to the fact that Uganda has huge percentage of youths. He later encouraged CDFU to promote active citizenship and participation by involving young people in the project.
Also during the same function, Henk launched the organisation’s sound studio, which the board chairman, Prof Winstons Muhwezi said was a big push that would enable CDFU to move towards growing its financial resource base/muscle by generating internal resources.
Besides comic entertainment, the guests, mostly stakeholders, were hooked by testimonies of the youth, who had been empowered through their active and passive involvement in the programmes of CDFU.