In Nguékokh, in the Mbour department, the voice of young people resounded during the forum dedicated to participatory governance. At the heart of the discussions was a conviction shared by the participants: that young people must no longer be spectators, but active participants in the decisions that shape their future.

The forum is organised as part of the AU–EU Youth Voices Lab – Power of Collective project, implemented by Comdev Africa.

Mariama Dieng, a law student at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and an ambassador for the project, delivered a clear message: young people must be integrated into decision-making bodies, on the same footing as local authorities and community leaders.

"We must not only be subjected to decisions. We must participate in their development," she declared before an assembly composed of young people, neighborhood leaders, local elected officials, and religious leaders.

For her, participatory governance is not an abstract concept, but a concrete tool to address the challenges of employment, training and local development.

Nearly a hundred young people took part in the discussions, demonstrating a clear desire to become more involved in local affairs. Workshops, panels, and debates addressed issues of professional integration, entrepreneurship, and civic participation.

Abdoulaye Ba, the project's national coordinator, emphasized the importance of collective intelligence: "When young people, authorities, and the population work together to create solutions, decisions are more appropriate and more effective."

According to him, it is time for young people to no longer be considered as mere beneficiaries of public policies, but as strategic partners capable of influencing and driving change.

The speakers emphasized that youth participation should not be limited to occasional consultations. The goal now is to move towards genuine co-decision-making, with permanent consultation frameworks at the municipal level.

The mayor's representative welcomed the initiative, stating that the municipality remains open to any structured proposal put forward by young people. He reiterated that development begins with individual and collective commitment.

In a context marked by unemployment and the growing need for economic opportunities, the young people present expressed their determination to take their place in local institutions.

For them, being at the heart of decisions means ensuring that public policies truly meet their needs and aspirations.

This forum will thus have laid the foundations for a renewed dialogue between generations, with a central message: without youth, no sustainable development is possible.