To mark International Youth Day 2018, Chadian youngest female star Yasmine Abdallah celebrated young people and their achievements on August 12, in Chad’s capital N’Djamena; to draw attention to a given set of legal, social and cultural issues surrounding African youth. Young Diplomats’ Africa Regional Bureau in partnership with the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPPS) have organized this special day.
As music has a big influence in the behavior of the human being, Yasmine believes that social innovators across Africa are leading a shift away from the traditional mindset that Africa’s youth are useless and problems to be solved. They know that trusting youth to lead by giving them opportunities to make real decisions, have their voices consistently heard, and make meaningful contributions to their countries development; ensures young people to make positive changes in their communities.
The ceremony was attended and supported by the presence of several great figures of Chadian artists such as cinematic artist Moussa Zakaria who honored the podium. The celebration of the role models triggered the aspiration among young people to bring positive change in their lives and encouraged them to fight against the odds and pursue their dreams.
“We don’t know how our country’s going to develop because the young people who are meant to develop it are just watching and doing nothing, and that’s why I am here to add my voice to Yasmine’s in order to make a little positive change. In this country, we often think of music as being entertainment. For them, it’s pretty serious stuff. They use it in ways that help build community.” said Moussa.
It was important for Yasmine to come together with Young Diplomats team in Africa, united across individual backgrounds and circumstances. It’s a song not necessarily for outsiders; the song forgoes calls to action for national solidarity and youth development, it’s primed to remind Chadians themselves, both those who are currently inside and outside of the country, of their own best nature. As Yamine sings, “Wake up! We are all family. Let’s dance, let’stand together.”
According to Yasmine; Africa is in a position to harvest the fruits of a demographic dividend, especially the young population, whose energy, creativity and courage must drive Africa’s development. Investing in their education, technical competences and training therefore remains critical to the continent.
“We believe that music brings people closer together. It sends a message faster than even the telephone,” Yasmine stressed.
Meanwhile, Presentations on illegal migration, terrorism, non violence at schools, unemployment of youth, plenary sessions and artistic performances among others were part of the celebrations. Human trafficking and illegal migration are a rampant in the African continent.
It’s obvious that songs can promote social harmony, by emphasizing religious tolerance and interethnic respect, humanizing the “other” – an urgent need for societies split by poverty, civil wars, migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe, but also for a global community prone to dehumanizing the far-off “other”.
By Idriss Zackaria
