An innovative and interactive platform meant to curate social change ideas and empower youth to be the catalysts of transformation in their communities has been launched today. The platform called The Stage is the brainchild of Outbox, Reach A Hand Uganda, Public Health Ambassadors Uganda, UNYPA, and other implementing partners supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Uganda Country Office.
It is a platform that seeks to harness the power of building communities by bringing together young people to share stories and ideas that address social issues in the community while deriving inspiration from peers and mentors. The authors of some of the outstanding ideas could be supported to implement them by various policymakers on the platform including the UN. This would depend on the practicability and projected community impact of the idea.
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Addressing the press, UNFPA Country Representative Mr. Alain Sibenale said that, “This is not a competition for ideas, rather a convenient space for young people to convene and share experiences and ideas that have the potential to positively shape their communities. This means the youth need to take on the leadership mantle in their communities. Leadership is not about titles. It’s about taking the initiative in your community, and The Stage gives the youth that space and preparation.”
In addition, Mr. Sibenaler revealed that “The Stage has a mentorship component bringing together expertise from various fields to offer guidance to the youth on the platform. This could be in the form of honing their ideas into implementable and impactful projects that can attract funding. We also encourage older people to register on The Stage as mentors to the youth.”
Uganda comprises one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 70% being under 30 years. This behooves all players to tap into this youthful energy, and shape them to be part of the fabric that builds social change within their respective communities. This is the reason UNFPA invests heavily in young people.
