REPORT OF THE INTERGENERATIONAL DIALOGUE FORUM HELD AT THE JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

APRIL 13 2018

1 | P a g e

Vice Chancellor, JKUAT, Prof. Mabel Imbuga and the Chief Executive Officer, NYC, Raymond Ochieng mark the beginning of the intergenerational dialogue forum

2 | P a g e

CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................... 4

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 5

2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT ........................................................... 5

2.1 Overall purpose ........................................................................ 5

2.2 Objectives ................................................................................. 5

2.3 Expected outcomes ................................................................... 6

2.4 Model .......................................................................................... 6

2.5Attendance: Participants and Partners ....................................... 7

2.6 Panel Highlights .......................................................................... 9

3.0 CHALLENGES ................................................................................ 12

4.0 DIALOGUE OUTCOMES ................................................................ 13

5.0 SUSTAINABILITY ........................................................................... 13

6.0 WAY FORWARD ........................................................................... 13

PICTORIAL ............................................................................................. 14

3 | P a g e

ACRONYMS /ABBREVIATIONS

AGPO Access to Government Procurement Opportunities

BKBK Buy Kenya Build Kenya

CGW County Governance Watch

CUEA Catholic University of Eastern Africa

DYA Directorate of Youth Affairs

FGM Female Genital Mutilation

GBV Gender Based Violence

ILU International Leadership University

IPYF Interparty Youth Forum

JKUAT Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

JKUSA Jomo Kenyatta University Students Association

KFCB Kenya Film Classification Board

KNCCI Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

KU Kenyatta University

MKU Mount Kenya University

MMU Multimedia University

NACCSC National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee

NCIC National Cohesion and Integration Commission

NDI National Democratic Institute

NGAAF National Government Affirmative Action Fund

NYC National Youth Council

SRH Sexual Reproductive Health

UNV United Nations Volunteer

UON University of Nairobi

YAB Youth Advisory Board

YEDF Youth Enterprise Development Fund

4 | P a g e

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Historically, young and old connected naturally. Older people taught the young how to be and how to become. Youth these days do not have many chances to interact with older members of the society with changing social structures within families. However, many older adults today are better educated, healthier, and more able than elders of past generations and are a tremendous resource. In order to bridge the gap that exists today between the youth and older members of the community, intergenerational dialogues have been considered as one way to promote the sharing of experiences between older and younger people and also as a tool that can be harnessed to create awareness of and promote long-term solutions to risks faced by youth. Intergenerational dialogues present enormous potential in transforming lives of young people.

In order to provide a platform that amplifies the voice of the youth to the right audience, the National Youth Council (NYC) has adopted the intergenerational dialogue model to prompt transformative conversations between the youth and older, successful members of the society. This contributes to the fulfillment of the NYC’s mandate to ‘act as a voice and bridge to ensure that the Government and other policy makers are kept informed of the views and aspirations of the youth’.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a University of global excellence in Training, Research and Innovation for development recognizes the critical role of research, innovation, quality education and mentorship in shaping and equipping the youth for self-reliance. Towards this, JKUAT has partnered with the NYC to be hosting an annual youth conference through which students can make strategic connections to complement their skills and empower them to be self-reliant upon completion of their studies.

5 | P a g e

1.0 INTRODUCTION The NYC in partnership with JKUAT and other stakeholders within the youth sector held the inaugural intergenerational dialogue on 13th April 2018 at the JKUAT main Assembly Hall. The forum themed, ‘building opportunity brides’, brought together youth (university students); Government agencies; business leaders; private sector and civil society players with the aim of creating awareness on empowerment opportunities available to the Kenyan youth. The intergenerational dialogue provided youth with a platform to be heard by influential people in decision-making bodies as well as an opportunity to interact with and create strategic connections with institutions and personalities that can illuminate their path towards entrepreneurship, innovation and self-reliance.

The inaugural dialogue sought to address gaps in youth empowerment created by inadequate mentorship and employment opportunities to stimulate personal development and to build synergy between the youth and other stakeholders towards delivery of the youth empowerment agenda and the international commitments that Kenya is party to.

2.0 OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT 2.1 Overall purpose The intergenerational dialogue aimed at creating a platform for engaging young people in transformative conversations that promote their empowerment. The dialogue was

designed to prompt youth to address issues of interest.

2.2 Objectives The objectives of the dialogue were:

i. To create awareness on empowerment opportunities available to youthii. To promote long term solutions for the risks faced by Youth.iii. To provide a platform for exchange of ideas between older persons wealthy in

business experience and university students.

6 | P a g e

iv. To provide students with an opportunity to network and gain strategic contactsand connections

• To foster partnerships between the government empowerment funds andother initiatives targeting Youth and the student fraternity

v. To bridge the gap between generations, which social problems such asunemployment, poverty and exclusion make wider.

vi. To inspire students towards self-reliance.vii. To provide a platform in which the youth voice can be heard by decision makers

2.3 Expected outcomes The expected outcomes of the dialogue were:

• Enhanced interaction between young people and key players in the Youthsector

• Creation of opportunities, strengthening of linkages and reduction of gapsbetween generations

• Improved visibility of the Council in the Universities.

• Establishment of mentorship programmes

2.4 Model The dialogue was undertaken as a one day activity that included a blend of the following;

• Moderated discussions between university Students and panelists

• Brief keynotes

• Entertainment• Exhibitions- for detailed explanation of processes and products offered by the

various partners

7 | P a g e

2.5Attendance: Participants and Partners The inaugural intergenerational dialogue event targeting 500 students registered an attendance of over 400 students and over 100 esteemed guests. The good response from participants and sponsors affirms the demand by youth for opportunities to learn and the commitment to youth empowerment by youth sector players from the government and the private sector. The intergenerational dialogue brought together the following participants and partners;

1. Students from JKUAT; the University of Nairobi (UON); Kenyatta University (KU);Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA); Mount Kenya University(MKU);International Leadership University (ILU) and the Multimedia University(MMU).

2. Key Government institutions: Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB); YouthAdvisory Board (YAB); Directorate of Youth Affairs(DYA), National YouthService(NYS), Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF); Anti-FGM Board,National Cohesion and Integration Commission(NCIC), Kenya National Chamber ofCommerce and Industry (KNCCI); National Anti-Corruption Campaign SteeringCommittee(NACCSC); Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

3. University leadership: JKUAT, JKUSA, UON, KU, ILU, MMU, MKU and CUEA4. Private Sector: Infinix Kenya; Safaricom Blaze and Masoko5. Civil Society: National Democratic Institute (NDI), Organization of African Youth

(OAY); County Governance Watch (CGW), Youth Agenda; Siasa Place6. Development partners; United Nations Volunteer (UNV); World Bank; JICA-

Africa-ai-Japan project7. Individuals: Vimal Shah- Chairman Bidco Africa, Jane Kagiri (AGPO success

story);

8 | P a g e

8 | P a g e

Heart-felt commitment to youth empowerment

9 | P a g e

2.6 Panel Highlights The participants of the dialogue received a lot of invaluable information from the keynote speakers, panelists and other guests. Some of the highlights of the various panels include:

Economic empowerment panel

• There are many opportunities in the government for youth empowerment:

o 30% preference procurement; YEDF,UWEZO Fund, National GovernmentAffirmative Action Fund (NGAAF),Kenya Youth Employment andOpportunities Project (KYEOP).

o Buy Kenya Build Kenya (BKBK): Thegovernment gives preference tolocally produced goods and services

• Agri – business is an untapped area that can be harnessed to reduceunemployment.

• Passion goes where money cannot

• Youth should strive to be a part of the solutions to the challenges facing thecountry. Youth to view challenges as opportunities.

• Youth to add a touch of creativity in everything they do.

• Trust, integrity, competency and intent are necessary for success.

• Youth do not need limited companies to do business with the government. Aregistered business name is sufficient

• The government has a national internship program to support youth to developskills and competencies.

10 | P a g e

ICT and Innovation Panel

• Innovation simplified is:

o ‘Doing thingsin a different way’

o Transformation of an

idea into atradable product or service:solving problems in society

• Data is a renewable resource to be explored, repackaged and commoditized

• Youth to be confident and implement their ideas; to tap into the enlarging ICTspace to drive their innovations and commercialize those innovations e.g bydeveloping brands

• Youth to protect/patent their innovations• Innovation hubs important for the incubations of youth enterprises.

Governance and Peace Building; and Social Cultural Dynamics panels

• Youth can influence the next generation• Youth need to be given space but they must work within defined frameworks. They

must do everything responsibly.

10 | P a g e

11 | P a g e

• Your tribesman is the person that lives next to you.

• Economic growth is built on the soundness of social stability. • Youth have a responsibility to end FGM by 2030.

• Choices have consequences. Some choices have a lifetime effect. • Youth are always on the receiving end of nasty political engagements; as

perpetrators and victims. They need to engage the government constructively through consultation, consensus etc. There is need to shift the young people’s attention to too much politics.

• Youth should contribute towards national cohesion, national values (integrity, ethics, patience etc.) Young people who uphold these values are likely to succeed.

• Instead of the ‘Haki Yetu’ mantra, we are encouraged to adopt ‘Wajibu Wetu.’

• Youth programmes should cater for all categories of youth

11 | P a g e

The world owes you nothing. It is your responsibility to ensure that you do something with what you have to make your life better. Cynthia Njiru-Digital Marketing manager, Infinix Kenya

12 | P a g e

3.0 CHALLENGES The organizing committee encountered the following challenges in the inaugural dialogue

1. The date of the dialogue coincided with exam dates of several universities invitedto participate. The organizing team will in future liaise with the Association of Deanof Students when setting the date for the dialogue.

2. Panel discussion sessions were not exhaustive; in future the programme of thedialogue should have fewer panel sessions with more time or more days for theevent to ensure comprehensive discussions.

3. Logistical issuesa. Décor arrangements led to a big delay in the start of the programmeb. Meals – separation of serving points was confusing and some guests were

not served with lunch. Guest lists to be compiled before the event and mealcards to be distributed upon registration.

4. Unpreparedness of some panelists/ moderators/ MC: panelists, moderators andMC to be well briefed before the event.

5. Short preparatory timeline- Planning of future dialogues to allow at least a monthof planning

Be authentic; appreciate yourself just as you are Dr.E zekiel Mutua- Chief Executive Officer- KFCB

Dissatisfaction with the status quo; Vision; Action plan; These are Ingredients for change

Vimal Shah- Chairman Bidco Africa

13 | P a g e

4.0 DIALOGUE OUTCOMES The key outcomes of the inaugural dialogue were:

• The need for a systematic collaboration for youth programmes between the NYCand JKUAT.

• The need for a joint mentorship and coaching programme between the NYC,JKUAAT and other tsakeholders

• The need to identify, develop, showcase and create linkages for talents especiallyin the area of technology

5.0 SUSTAINABILITY In order to ensure the dialogue creates the desired impact on the lives of the students, the planning and coordination unit of the dialogue will develop a follow-up strategy for participants. The purpose of the strategy will be to ensure continuity of the conversations and more interaction between the students during and after the event; and to facilitate follow-up on implementation of various recommendations and decisions arrived at during the dialogue. The NYC and JKUAT will negotiate through an MOU to have the dialogue take place annually up to 2021.

6.0 WAY FORWARD In view of the foregoing, the planning and coordination unit of the dialogue will strive to do the following:

1. Hold the intergenerational dialogue annually up to 2021, taking into accountlessons learnt.

2. Embark on identification of themes, topics, panelists and keynote speakers earlyenough for better planning.

3. Lobby partners for annual allocations to the dialogue4. Develop a follow up strategy for participants

5. Develop a mechanism of receiving feedback on the dialogue during and after theevent

14 | P a g e

14 | P a g e

That went well! …It was worth our while

All work and no play…

PICTORIAL

15 | P a g e

Distinguished guests

15 | P a g e

The planning committee

16 | P a g e

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!