The Parliamentary Youth Caucus has today, 12th October, 2020 held a public hearing on the 2020/2021 national budget with stakeholders in the youth subsector on youth priorities in the budget.

The aim of the hearing was to deliberate on the youth development programming in the country.

Speaking at the opening of the session, Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Ulemu Msungama, MP said there is need to pay special attention and reflect with total commitment towards youth empowerment and development.

“Currently, Malawi’s population is at 17.6 million of which about 75% is below the age of 35. This is a vast human resource potential this country has. We need to cherish and harness this potential, ” said Hon. Msungama.

The Minister added that Government acknowledges that there are a number of challenges affecting the youth in the country that may affect the potential and future of this country.

On this part, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, Honourable Owen Chomanika said “the action that we take is not in line with the type of population that we have and the programs we do are not substantial to development.”

Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement (AYISE) Programs Officer, Monica Dzonzi said as a young person she would love to see well-coordinated efforts between youth organizations and the Ministry.

The Parliamentary Youth Caucus benefitted from presentations on the Status of Youth Development Financing in Malawi particularly priorities and budgetary related gaps and issues that exist as well as Population Dynamics and Harnessing the Youth Bulge.

The dialogue session brought together officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Democratic Institute, African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), National Youth Council and Youth Representatives from various youth organization in the country.