Zambia - Are youths the future leaders of tomorrow or are they not already leaders in their own way? This active age group rarely sits in the terraces to watch developmental projects or political activities being undertaken by other players without their involvement. With the energy, zeal and intelligence, nothing puts them off the decision -making line as they always feel capable of charting a way forward to address the challenges affecting the nation. The Ministry of Sports, Youth and Child Development is well aware of this fact and, therefore, organised a public lecture, mindset change talk and debates to commemorate youth week under the theme 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding,' at the Lusaka Museum.

The University of Zambia (UNZA), University of Lusaka (UNILUS), Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM), Zambia Centre for Accountancy Studies (ZCAS) and Zambia Insurance Business College Trust (ZIBCT) were some of the higher institutions of learning that converged to have a battle of the brains.

ZIBCT successfully defeated their opponents ZCAS to emerge triumphant in the final debate.

The theme of the youth week 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding among political players, is it working', was saved as the topic of the final debate.

Proposing to the motion Malete Jones Nyeleti from ZCAS said the Government of the day is working with stakeholders such as non- governmental organisations (NGOs), an indication that dialogue and mutual understanding is indeed working.

"The Government has been working in partnership with Japan through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build more schools and the health sector receives funding from donors," Malete kicked off the debate.

On the other hand, ZIBCT first speaker Tomaida Mumba strongly sets her team's foundation firm with the fact that personal attacks among political players clearly show no dialogue and mutual understanding.

"Dialogue and mutual understanding is not achievable because of the lack of maturity and respect among political players," Mumba said.

Sharon Muzungu from ZIBCT said dialogue is not working due to the selfness among political players.

"We should realise that each one has his or her own interest, goals and the time frame in which to achieve them so how can mutual understanding exist," Muzungu said.

Mofya Mulopa of ZCAS argued that the number of investors coming to Zambia has increased because the Government provides an enabling environment, showing that mutual understanding is working.

UNZA and ZCAS debated on the motion 'Dialogue and Mutual Understanding Among The Youths, Stakeholders and Government for Sustainable Development - can it work?'

Godfrey Chewe of UNZA said the Government's efforts when environmental education was introduced in 2008 at the institution and most of the students are youths on bursary. Therefore, the knowledge and skill acquired will be used to find solutions to issues of climate change leading to sustainable development.

Emmanuel Mdoma of ZCAS disagreed to the so -called stakeholders especially Investors who do not have the interest of the youths at heart but instead enslave them. "Salaries are so little to meet the basic needs of a youth," he said.

Sustainable development can only be achieved when there are three things namely, interest, trust and honest.

Youths should have interest to participate in development programmes.

Trust in the Government of the day by youths and stakeholders.

Finally, honest in these stakeholders like investors is required to help overcome the challenges youths are facing as opposed to exploiting them.

Are Zambian youths given enough opportunities to fully participate in Zambia's political dispensation?

The audience was attentive when ZIBCT and UNILUS tackled the topic.

Agreeing to the motion, Chisanga Nyendwa of ZIBCT said almost all political parties have a youth group, thereby allowing youth participation in politics.

"There is a youth forum group, National Youth Constitution Assembly and we have been awarded 30 per cent representation in Parliament, so what more do we want?" Nyendwa asked.

Frameworks have been put in place and it's up to the youths to utilise them, ZIBCT challenged the youths.

Meanwhile, Haggai Thabo of UNILUS disagreed that youths are sidelined when it comes to issues of politics, referring to the minimum age of 35 years for one to contest as a presidential candidate as stipulated in the Constitution.

"A youth is called an under-five when he or she criticises those who are already in power but is used as a tool of violence during elections," Thabo said.

Paul Chelo of UNILUS said the so-called frameworks which have been put in place are just theory and not practical.

"The National Youth Constitution sits only once yet youths face problems everyday," Chelo said and added: "Even though youths are given a platform their voices are not heard by those in power."

In recent months, the world has witnessed anti-Government uprising in North Africa and other Arab nations.

This leads to the next motion. Should a Zambian youth be introduced to handle conflicts and transformation at an early age?

ZCAS in saying yes to the motion, believes handling of conflict is not about the use of a gun but it's about teaching a child the importance of dialogue whenever a misunderstanding arises.

"When these children know how to handle a misunderstanding in a peaceful manner and are given a platform I foresee a future of no violence or war," Chishala Chishala said.

On the other hand, ZAMCOM disagreed to believe that introducing a youth to handling conflict and trans formation at an early age will affect their social interaction because violence will be seen as the best solution to end a misunderstanding.

"Some of these anti-government protests begin because a youth was introduced to handling conflict at an early age and today they are the ones using the guns to fight against those who taught them," Mike Mubanga of ZAMCOM explained.

However, Waza Malowa argued that these youths resort to violence because there is no platform to express their views.

"We can not be waiting for the African Union or United Nations to handle our conflicts but we are capable of transforming this nation to a better place 15 years from now if the young ones of today are taught how to handle conflict through dialogue," Malowa said.

One would agree that the concerns and views given to tackle different topics is an indication that the nation is definitely blessed with great young leaders.

Grace Chaile

Times of Zambia/15/03/2011