Often times we all feel the need to lead from the front lines for example be a negotiator on the negotiation table, be a mediator on the mediation table that’s if you are not a conflict party, be the representative of all representatives.
As a result, there are conflicting questions about who is best suited to sit at the table. Before you know it the conflict starts about who is and who is not represented, a total diversion from the whole reason why the conflict started in the first place.
Look, just because the notion about the inclusivity of having every stakeholder in the community participate in resolving conflicts or influence decisions does not mean everyone gets a seat at the table. for instance, if there are 100 youth leaders in a hall of 500 stakeholders, probably one of the youth leaders will be given a platform to speak on behalf of the others. Same with conflicting parties, one person is given a chance to represent or submit on behalf of the others.
So, does that mean the 99 youth are useless because they don’t have a seat at the table? What I am trying to say is that there are so many ways one can influence decisions without necessarily holding the mic to make that decision.
Take for instance a president, their job (at least for what I know) is to read out statements that have been crafted beautifully by someone in their offices, or sign letters that hold the future of their people, yet again has been crafted by someone else. For someone who is short-sighted will mislead the president through the statements. And someone who sees beyond the president’s endeavors will articulate statements or letters that not only heal the nation but give hope for the people. To summarise all these, I think the failure of a president is to some extent blamed on his technical teams.
Have you ever read a misleading document that only one word changed the whole statement? Yes, that little contribution destroyed everything and probably killed the reputation of the individual or institution at stake. Someone in the background is responsible not necessarily the person who read it!
So dear youth there are so many ways one can influence decisions not necessarily at the frontlines but behind the scenes. For instance, the other power you hold among others is social media, a platform that can shape a nation or take down a dictator if alternatives fail, a platform that is so evil yet powerful it’s like water that makes a crack on rocks. So good when carefully used but dangerous when misused.
The more we continue to question why we are not at the table than asking how we can contribute from where we are, we will never go anyway especially when sustainable peace and development is in question here.
There are different ways of contributing to better every situation, engage in consultations and let your views be heard, be involved in reviewing documents that has your interest at heart and add what you think makes sense, speak up when there is conversation about things that interest you, write and write to the person you want to listen to you, above all meet with the decision maker and make that moment count for all you have in your mind for a better society. There are tons of ways we can make the change we want to see, that can only happen if we don’t compete for spaces that take one or two to represent us.
It’s quite appalling to see and hear conversations about need for inclusivity over and over again and what makes it worst is the followed ignorance that everyone (in quantity) must be included. It is just impossible.
Thanks for an explanation. I did not know it.
Bravo, what necessary words…, a brilliant idea
crybdsm
It agree
I here am casual, but was specially registered at a forum to participate in discussion of this question.
minclounge
And there is other output?
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