USAID/Guinea: Community Exposes Mismanagement of Public Funds, Leading to Suspension of Official

March 1, 2008

Civic Education Among Youth

Guinea, like many developing countries, has a very large youth population .Over 63.2 % of the population is under 24 years old. During widespread civic unrest that gripped Guinea in early 2007, thousands of youths took to the streets, throwing stones, confronting security forces, and setting up barricades that paralyzed major urban centers.

USAID’s civic education initiative aims to strengthen democratic values by promoting peaceful methods of political expression and dialogue between the population, especially youth, and government authorities.

Following the civil disturbances of 2007, USAID working with the African Formation Center for Development (CENAFOD) launched a campaign in Guinea to encourage peaceful methods of expression. The Civic Education Project (PEC) promotes peaceful dialogue between the population and the authorities as an alternative to violence, which in the past has led to widespread social unrest.

The program’s civic education campaign targeted the five communes of Conakry and has already reached governmental institutions, civil society, political parties and the military. Specifically, the initiative focuses on the right to gather peacefully to express political views, with particular emphasis on the participation of youth.

During this initial phase, the program organized five democracy awareness workshops and selected 256 people from all social levels to participate. The project also established coordination centers in the five communes in Conakry to bring together citizen groups and public authorities, including the police, to find common ground on issues of concern.

Face to Face

Several hundred youth recently formed an association, Jeunesse Developpement et Paix Durable, which benefited from the PEC initiative. On February 9, 2008, over a hundred members of the organization, whose name translates into Youth for Development and Lasting Peace, came together to renounce violence as a means for social and political change. Many expressed frustration that their high school and university education had not led to jobs. But they also acknowledged that the way to achieve lasting positive change is through peaceful means, such as non-violent demonstrations and the wearing of armbands designed to send a social message.

PEC last update:

The Project for Civic Education (PEC) received positive feedback from Guineans attending a USAID-sponsored symposium on March 13, 2008 at the Commune of Ratoma-Conakry.

The USAID-sponsored project, launched in March 2008, held a workshop in each of Conakry’s six communes to promote peaceful means of expression among youths.

The “Faison Ensemble” Chief of Party along with USAID Mission representatives and the General Secretary of the Ratoma Commune attended the March 13 ceremony where locals youth expressed support for peace and stability in the country, and voiced opposition toward violent and aggressive forms of political expression.

Guinean government officials, political party members, and representatives from civil society, unions, security and religious groups who attended the gatherings were clearly impressed with the results.

The General Secretary of the commune of Ratoma reminded Guinean citizens of their duties and responsibilities as members of the community. “Everyone must respect the law and civic rights,” he said, in a speech reinforced by the cheers of the audience.

“Yes to manifestation, no to destruction!” said a youth representative.

“Guinea is a family; everyone must be united against the war and injustices!”

“Youths need to be educated, educators need to be paid, and thieves must be punished!”

“Long live the peace, long live the unity, long live Guinea!” added a youth rep.

Story and photo by Francesca Munzi