DESPLAY THINK TANK GROUP - Grupos - Ferramentas de Ação

Detalhes

Nome: DESPLAY THINK TANK GROUP
Website: http://.youngstarsfoundation.org
Categorias: Paz e Conflito
Educação
Mídia

Descrição:
DESPLAY is an initiative of Youngstars Foundation on youths and
democratization,
funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Washington DC? USA.
DESPLAY is a mind changing, knowledge based and action-oriented project for
youth organization and young people in Nigeria. DESPLAY seeks to foster active
youth involvement in democratization, political process and human rights in
Nigeria towards sustainable democracy and good governance in Nigeria
and Africa
at large.

From over 60 applications, 25 participants drawn from the six
geopolitical zones
of the country are currently working together on different aspects of
democracy
and good governance in Nigeria. DESPLAY Session 2005/6 comprise of 3 Semester
training workshops holding over a 7 months period.
Semester 1 held in Jos, Plateau state at the National Library Conference Hall
between 8th and 10th March from 13 states of the 6 geo-political zones of the
country attended. Topics discussed related to the concept of democracy, the
history of Democracy in Nigeria, structures of democracy and governance in
general. There was a Reading exercise was on The Quality of Democracy, a text
from The Journal of Democracy published periodically by NED. A debate on the
State of the Nation and the state of the youths generated good intellectual
exchange and also promoted better dialogue skills predicated on respect
for the
human person inspite of differing views and disagreements in ideologies.
Participants also took time out to interact with cross sections of the
community on their perception about democracy and governance in
general. Awards
were given to best traditionally dressed male and female participants at the
close of the daily sessions. Another outdoor activity was a visit to
Youngstars
office in Jos by the entire participants. Her Excellency Wife of the Deputy
Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Lydia Botmang attended one of the sessions.
DESPLAY 1 ended with a social night organized by the participants on the last
night of the event!
According to Nnezi Offiah a female participant from Enugu? God, I am
amazed by the reality that a youth group like Youngstars exists and
against all
odds has grown to the extent of uniquely impacting youths on a national level
like this. I have always dreamt of doing things like this, but now I
know that
I must begin to do things?

Youth Internship at the National Assembly, Abuja. As a basic learning
component, placements were secured for 5 DESPLAY participants who interned for 3 weeks atthe National Assembly from April 3rd to 22nd, 2006. The interns are Fidelis
Ugibge - interned with Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Nentawe Gomiyar - interned
with Senator Abubakar Sodangi, Daramola Franklin - interned Senator Adeleke
Mamora, Nneze Offiah - interned with Hon. Usman Bubaje, Maduabuchi Chinenye -
interned with Honourable Ita Enang. According to Nentawe Gomiyar from Kaduna
???.when I saw how our lawmakers approach the business of law making, my
confidence and respect for the National Assembly was shaken and I
resolved that
we need more serious people to get in there. I hope to become a
lawmaker in the
future and I encourage more youths to aspire for elective post as a
best of way
of bringing about change?. The interns were also hosted by Mr. Learned Dees
Political Adviser of US Embassy Nigeria in his office at Abuja.

Meanwhile, about 16 DESPLAY participants were able to complete their PiO
exercise at their local levels impacting over 300 fellow youths with the
messages of DESPLAY. The 16 youths were invited to Semester 2 alongside
6 other
youths on the waiting list. Semester 2 was conducted in Calabar the capital of
Cross Rivers state between May 24th ? 26th, 2006. With focus on Active Youth
Participation, and experience sharing of PiOs and the internships at the
National Assembly, the 3 days came to a close too early! According to Femi
Oseni, a male participant from University of Port Harcourt ??.. you guys
don?t know what you have done to my life by giving me chance to attend
DESPLAY, I am no longer the regular guy people used to know, my life has
completely changed, and thanks to Youngstars and NED?

Just in July 2006, between 8th to 14th, a group of 5 DESPLAYers visited Ghana
for a learning experience on democratization and good governance. During the
weeklong experience, we interacted with students, young people, British
Council
Ghana, Youth Ministry Ghana and the general public. The team were also at the
Nigeria High Commission and Ovation office where they interacted with Ovation
CEO Dele Momodu. Hear Ella one of the female delegates ???I perceive an
unusual sense of order and quiet in Ghana, obviously absent in Nigeria?

PiOs are going on all over the place as we prepare for Semester 3 in August at
Kaduna state! And for those of you that have missed out of this life changing
program, cheer up! Announcement for DESPLAY 2006/7 program shall soon be out,
stay in touch!

DESPLAY ? fostering youth participation in building sustainable democracy and
good governance in Nigeria!

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