Sao Tome youth council demands effective public policies
The National Youth Council seeks real opportunities, training, jobs, and housing, citing emigration as a necessity.
The Sao Tome and Principe National Youth Council (CNJ) on Thursday demanded "effective public policies" to create "real opportunities" for young people, including more training, employment, and housing. The organisation stated that many young people view emigration as a necessity due to a lack of prospects.
In a statement sent to Lusa, the CNJ appealed to the State's responsibility, stating that the youth need results, not repeated promises. They called for effective public policies, employment programs, vocational training aligned with market needs, support for entrepreneurship, access to credit, affordable housing, and effective participation in decision-making processes.
The CNJ also highlighted that investing in youth is the most important investment a country can make and urged development partners to continue supporting initiatives that promote youth opportunities, inclusion, and capacity building. The council noted that many young people lack employment, dignified opportunities, and the conditions to realise their life projects, leading to a growing emigration phenomenon that concerns the nation.
Why it mattersYoung people in Sao Tome and Principe face a lack of opportunities, leading many to consider emigration as a necessity.