The president of the Refoundation has committed to transmitting the proposals from young people that emerged from the national consultation. They are demanding an active role in decisions concerning the country's future. The recommendations from the National Youth Consultation are now in the hands of the competent authorities. "I receive your ideas and I will transmit them to the FFKM, the Ecumenical Council of Christian Churches of Madagascar. Rest assured that I will closely follow the proposals you have formulated," declared Colonel Michaël Randrianirina, president of the Refoundation, on Saturday, during the closing of the National Youth Consultation at the International Conference Centre (CCI) in Ivato.

After three days of exchanges and reflection, this national meeting marked the culmination of a process launched since April at the municipal, district, and regional levels. For nearly four months, youth representatives debated five major themes: politics and governance, economy, social issues, culture and sport, and the environment.

In an atmosphere that was warm, dynamic, and marked by mutual respect, young people presented the results of their reflections, expressing their desire to actively participate in decisions concerning the country's future. "These are demands we have formulated, not requests," emphasized a representative from the Analamanga region. "We have been heard, our ideas have been taken into account, and we will defend the positions we have adopted."

Placing youth at the heart of national transformation, the president of the Refoundation recalled that no lasting reform can be achieved without their involvement. "There can be no true refoundation without young people," he affirmed, calling for the establishment of political dialogue where young people can express their visions, confront their viewpoints, and contribute to reforms while respecting the diversity of opinions.

Centre of Debate

Among the five themes addressed, the "Politics and Governance" section sparked the most intense exchanges, particularly around state reform and the choice between a unitary state and a federal republic. Debates were sometimes heated, but participants emphasized that these differences testified above all to the richness of the exchanges.

After videos showing animated debates were shared on social media on Thursday, a representative of young people from the Atsimo-Andrefana region wished to place these images in context. "People who did not attend the proceedings cannot understand the full scope of the discussions. A simple video excerpt does not reflect the actual course of the consultation. There was no conflict: it was ideas that clashed," she explained.

A viewpoint shared by Alain Rasambany, minister of Youth and Sports, who recalled that the confrontation of opinions is an essential component of democratic debate. "Divergence of opinions is an asset. In politics, we are not obliged to have the same ideas. We bring democracy to life by respecting both the majority and the minority," he declared.

By Ihariana Sarobidy