President Lazarus Chakwera has described the youth as powerful agents of change and require support to reach their potential.

Speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday when he launched the 2023-2028 National Youth Policy, he said his administration regards the youth as critical actors in social transformation and sustainable development.

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He committed to investing resources in the education, health and employment of the youth to ensure that they are not only economically and socially empowered but also protected from violence, abuse, discrimination and exploitation.

Said Chakwera: “It is my belief and conviction that harnessing the potential of the youth towards national development goals is a wise investment.”

He called on all sectors and partners to invest in the youth and use the policy as a guiding compass for safeguarding the rights and welfare of the youth.

Representing the youth, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) champion Enless Pemba urged the government to increase their representation in all key government positions.

“We want more youthful ministers and board members in various parastatals. Allocate more resources in projects that support youth empowerment,” she said.

In her remarks, United Nations resident coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh said she recognises young people as a driving force behind efforts to create a more equitable, peaceful and prosperous Malawi.

She said: “Young people are trailblazers, they are pioneers and visionaries. Our youth have what it takes to accelerate the achievement of the Malawi 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“My challenge, therefore, to all of us witnessing this launch today, is to do all we can to go the extra mile to empower young people to actively contribute to socio economic growth and development and sharing their meaningful engagement in policy and programme development.”

United States Ambassador David Young, who also attended the launch, challenged the youth to claim the future that they want.

He said: “You know, the greatest challenges faced by our planet today, including climate change, food security, political instability, and many more will not be solved by doing things the way we have always done them. We need new approaches. And our young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today.”

He further called for collaborative efforts in supporting the youth to reach their potential.

The new policy encompasses critical issues such as climate change, the Malawi 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The policy was launched under the theme ‘Harnessing the youth potential towards the realisation of Malawi 2063’.

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