Africa-Press – Eswatini. A youth dialogue platform is bringing young people and community leaders together across seven chiefdoms to strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and encourage youth participation in local development processes.
The initiative creates structured spaces where young people openly discuss challenges affecting their lives while engaging directly with traditional leaders and community stakeholders. Organisers say the aim is to ensure that youth voices are not only heard but also considered in decisions that shape development at community level.
“We are trying to close the gap between young people and leadership,” one of the facilitators said. “When youth are involved in discussions, solutions become more practical and inclusive because they come from the community itself.”
The sessions have become a rare space where conversations move beyond formality. Young people speak about unemployment, lack of access to resources, and limited opportunities for participation in community structures, while leaders respond with guidance and suggestions on possible solutions.
One young participant said the platform has changed how they relate to authority figures in their area. “Now we can sit with leaders and talk freely. They listen to us, and we also learn how community decisions are made,” the participant said.
According to organisers, some communities have already seen early outcomes from the engagements, including support for youth access to development structures, land opportunities, and participation in local initiatives. These developments are helping young people move from discussion to active involvement in community projects.
Stakeholders such as the Royal Eswatini Police Service, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Eswatini, and ESACRO are also supporting the initiative, noting that regular dialogue helps reduce misunderstandings and strengthens peaceful coexistence in communities.
A partner representative said consistency is key to building trust. “When young people and leaders continue to meet, they begin to understand each other better, and that reduces conflict while building cooperation,” the representative said.
Organisers emphasise that the broader goal is to empower young people to see themselves as contributors to development rather than passive observers. The platform is expected to continue expanding engagement across the seven chiefdoms, with a focus on nurturing confident, informed, and solution-driven youth who can play a meaningful role in shaping their communities.
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