One of the best ways people learn is through interacting and sharing life experiences. With youth being the majority of citizens, it is necessary that they have a platform to exchange ideas, life experiences, and challenges and aspirations, all for positive change. It is in this regard that Never Again Rwanda created the Youth Voices website and magazine as platforms to champion for youth opinions.
Ever since NAR was founded, it has been directly working with both schooling and non-schooling youths with the aim of empowering them with peace values, critical thinking skills, tolerance of diversity, entrepreneurial skills, social justice, respect of human rights, and democratic values. The content published on these platforms is thus in step with NAR’s mission of empowering youth to become responsible citizens.
This is why the content shared via these platforms is written by youth and for youth, exuding youthfulness and relevance as it covers a range of youth affiliated topics, such as; teen pregnancies, sex education, life after school, campus experiences, human security issues, faith, art, and entertainment, among others.
As the youthful stage of life involves so many questions, doubts, and fears of dealing with life’s realities and challenges, sharing experiences as youth can be a great source of motivation. Moreover, writing these experiences helps youth develop and improve their writing skills and on the other hand enhances a reading culture in young people, starting from youth friendly material.
Overall, having platforms for youth and by youth sparks interaction and connection that results in information and motivation towards positive change. Therefore, such platforms are of great need because they call upon youth to take an active role in their communities and being the positive change they want to see.