Within the framework of the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP), a UNDP regional programme launched for the first time in Djibouti this year in partnership with the Centre for Technology and Innovation for Development and the GoodPlanet Africa Association, a ceremony was held last Wednesday with the participation of the Minister of Economy and Finance Mr. Ilyas Mousssa Dawaleh, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sport Hassan Mohamed Kamil, the UNDP Resident Representative in Djibouti Ms. Fatima Elsheikh, a representative of USAID as well as the heads of the CTID and Cle.  Fathi Bashe, a former YLP alumnus, shared his experiences with the young people of the YLP6 programme in Djibouti.

YLP's mission is to invest in young people in order to unleash their potential to become social innovators, leaders, thinkers and a force for change in their communities, countries and the region as a whole. YLP provides young people with the necessary tools to develop their unique and innovative solutions to address real life challenges and to advance Agenda 2030 and its 17 goals.

Fathi Bashe is a youth and activist who defends women's rights, gender equality, education and peace and security in the Horn of Africa. He has extensive experience working with UN volunteers and multiple local organizations. Fathi has been an active member of Somaliland Life Makers (a local volunteer organization) for 4 years and co-founded the policy and strategy group of the One Hope Project.

Fathi is a strong believer in UN principles and sustainable development goals (SDOs) and stresses the importance of collective roles and responsibilities in achieving SDGs. In this spirit, he founded the Fathi Initiative to raise awareness among Somalis about SDGs in the Horn of Africa, focusing in particular on Goal 13. Goal 13, measures to combat climate change, is a very important goal for the Horn of Africa region due to the frequent return of droughts. Last Thursday, he was able to share with the young Djiboutian of the YLP6 programme his experiences and his commitment to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in this region of the Horn of Africa.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Djibouti congratulated the young participants in this year's YLP6 for their commitment and assiduity and their true leadership which is very promising.

The officials present welcomed this programme which involves young people and allows them to exchange experiences, enrich each other and confront their ideas.  The youth of Djibouti have repeatedly demonstrated their know-how and commitment. "It's not just about working for young people, but working with young people," they emphasized.

An exchange of experience and mutual enrichment

The Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) has created one of the most dynamic youth networks in the Arab region, using innovation tools for sustainable development impact.

YLP's mission is to invest in young people in order to unleash their potential to become social innovators, leaders, thinkers and a force for change in their communities, countries and the region as a whole.

YLP provides young people with the necessary tools to develop their unique and innovative solutions to address real life challenges and advance Agenda 2030 and its 17 goals.

Launched in Djibouti for the first time, the YLP helps participants to realise their projects in the region.

Whether it is the setting up of a social enterprise, a non-profit and public utility NGO or any other community-based initiative, etc., the YLP helps participants to implement their projects in the region. The aim is to support pioneering initiatives for sustainable development, to build a network of young people of both sexes who are capable of bringing about change and can have a positive impact in their communities, countries and regions. Young girls and boys will be the ones who can bring about change for sustainable development.

In Djibouti the vast majority of the population is made up of young people under the age of 25. This living force of the nation can be an actor in development. Djibouti's youth remains a force for proposals, innovation and action, which can play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development goals.

Djibouti's young people are resolutely forward-looking and want to play an important part in the socio-economic development of their country. For this reason, one party is involved in the social field, where it excels in volunteering and helping the most disadvantaged people.

Others are very interested in the new Information and Communication Technologies, of which they have mastered the workings. They are very connected and full of ideas. Hence the creation of a multitude of start-ups working in various fields.

The Young Leadership Programme was launched in 2015 and has seen the participation of 14,000 young people and supported some 7,000 projects. YLP participants have launched and created successful small businesses, won municipal elections, received awards for their innovative solutions, and presented their ideas at renowned universities and global platforms such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum at UN headquarters.

It has enabled young people to exchange experiences, learn from each other and share ideas.