US funding youth to drive social change

By GATONYE GATHURA gathura@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Monday, March 7 2011 at 22:00

In Summary

• The State Department has been enabling groups in the Middle East, North Africa and Kenya to use new technology in connecting with people

The US is funding youth groups in Kenya, the Middle East and North Africa to use new media in driving social and political change.

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The State Department has been funding Middle Eastern and North African organisations that engage the youth in human rights activities for the last three years.

For instance, in October 2009, the US asked such organisations to apply for grants worth between $500,000 (Sh40 million) and $2.5 million (Sh200 million).

The funding targeted pilot projects that could use innovative and new communication technologies for connecting with people, especially the youth in the region.

“These technologies can include mobile platforms and the Internet, which can now be used for promoting democratic practices, civic participation and learning,” said a State Department posting calling for applicants.

The beneficiaries were expected to promote civic and political participation; women’s and youth empowerment; or economic and social entrepreneurship, among other issues.

A similar approach has been taken in Kenya, where the US embassy is advocating economic and social change through the yet to be profiled new generation.

But it is not only the US which is asking the youth to use the new technologies to demand more political participation and social rights.

The UN in its State of the World’s Children 2011 report released on Monday in Nairobi takes a similar position.

“Young people are particularly receptive to new technology and adapt to its demands with alacrity when they are given the chance,” the report reads in part.

If used responsibly, says Unicef, information and communication technology can remove barriers to education and literacy.

Kenya is ranked among countries with high access to new media on the continent.

The Science World Report released last month rated Kenya third in Internet penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa after Zimbabwe and Sudan.