Domestic
National Youth Consultation: A Generation Wants to Shape Madagascar's Future
The International Conference Centre (CCI) in Ivato has been hosting the decisive phase of the National Youth Consultation since July 29. Over three days, hundreds of participants from Madagascar's 24 regions are comparing analyses and developing proposals to contribute to the country's refoundation process. This meeting, which will conclude with a restitution session, aims to produce common recommendations. These will be officially presented to the highest authorities on August 1 before feeding into the National Consultation scheduled for year-end. Under the theme "Giving Voice to Youth for Madagascar's Refoundation," this initiative provides a forum for discussing the country's main challenges. Workshops cover governance, institutional reforms, the electoral process, economic development, culture, and environmental issues. For State Minister for Refoundation Maître Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, this approach must enable youth to fully participate in choices shaping the country's future. She believes sustainable refoundation cannot be achieved without active involvement of new generations. Discussions quickly revealed contrasting visions on state organization. Students from Toliara and Fianarantsoa universities advocated greater decentralization, even proposing a federal model to bring decision-making centers closer to territories. Other participants called for profound institutional transformation. Representatives of Gen Z Madagasikara Ofisialy reaffirmed their desire for large-scale reform, arguing current functioning no longer meets youth expectations. Beyond political questions, daily concerns featured prominently. Access to stable employment emerged as a key priority. Many also stressed adapting the education system to economic realities to foster entrepreneurship and youth employment. Rising insecurity was widely discussed, with several speakers calling for more effective responses to protect populations and restore confidence. Herizo Andriamanantena, a Gen Z spokesperson present at the consultation, emphasized that recent consultations will only produce concrete results with genuine political will. He argued reform success requires clearly defined institutional organization, deepened decentralization, strengthened rule of law, and fully assumed national sovereignty. These elements are, in his view, essential conditions for sustainably meeting citizens' expectations. Work conclusions will be synthesized before official transmission to authorities. Youth and Sports Minister Alain Rasambany indicated in a video message that these recommendations will define refoundation process guidelines and establish an implementation timeline. They will also be communicated to the Refoundation president, Prime Minister, FFKM, and the international community. For participants, this consultation now represents an opportunity for youth to make their voice heard and see proposals translate into concrete decisions.
Source: Madagascar Tribune