Patricia Kaliati criticizes the timing of youth engagement sessions regarding the State of the Nation Address, advocating for discussions to occur before the address to ensure youth concerns are included. She highlights a recent incident involving President Chakwera and underscores the growing frustration among young people over their exclusion from decision-making processes.
Patricia Kaliati has raised significant concerns regarding the timing of youth engagement sessions in relation to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the budget. She asserts that these discussions should precede the President’s delivery of the SONA to adequately incorporate young people’s concerns into the address. Kaliati argues that post-SONA engagement renders youth input ineffective regarding the policy direction outlined in the speech.
Kaliati has emphasized the importance of meaningful dialogue occurring prior to the SONA, allowing for youth voices to be represented in national plans. She highlighted a recent incident where President Lazarus Chakwera faced embarrassment during a youth engagement event at the State House. During this engagement, young attendees posed a challenging question: “Are you the leader, or should we wait for someone else?”
According to Kaliati, President Chakwera failed to deliver a direct response to this question, showcasing the increasing frustration among the youth about their exclusion from crucial decision-making processes. Her comments coincide with growing demands for the government to address youth concerns more effectively.
Kaliati believes that initiating discussions with young people prior to the SONA would enable the government to align its policies more closely with the needs of the youth. Her remarks are likely to provoke further dialogue concerning Malawi’s approach to incorporating youth perspectives into governance and policymaking.
In summary, Patricia Kaliati’s criticism of the timing of youth engagement sessions highlights a significant gap in the inclusion of young voices within Malawi’s policymaking framework. Her advocacy for early discussions prior to the SONA underscores the necessity for youth concerns to be reflected in national policies. As frustrations among the younger demographic mount, there is a clear imperative for the government to adopt a more inclusive approach to governance.
Original Source: malawi24.com
