3248: Youth Voices and Decision Making in South Sudan

On the Miraya Breakfast Show, hosts explored the state of youth participation in South Sudan, where most of the population is under 35, but many young people still feel excluded from real decision-making. Guests Boboto David Lubang and Michael Julius Alibe, both youth advocates and research contributors, discussed findings from a youth led study showing that participation is often symbolic rather than meaningful. They spoke about limited influence of youth structures, gaps in civic education, and the need for stronger inclusion of rural youth, young women, and youth with disabilities. The discussion also highlighted the role of digital platforms in widening engagement and called on policymakers to create more practical spaces for young people to influence decisions that affect their lives.