Maputo, Aug. 19, 2026 (Lusa) - The representative of Jendayi Mozambique, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening democratic values, called for the creation of a national digital literacy programme to equip young people with the skills to use technology in the exercise of citizenship.
Iva Sitoe was speaking in Maputo as a panellist on the topic «From traditional political participation to digital engagement among young people: what progress for democracy?», during the launch of the «Series of dialogues on youth and democracy», an initiative aimed at discussing youth participation, digital citizenship and the role of young people in consolidating democracy and peace in Mozambique.
According to Ms Sitoe, Mozambican youth face challenges in their democratic participation that undermine citizens' trust in youth representative organisations and decision-making forums, particularly via digital platforms; she therefore proposed the promotion of education for democracy in schools and universities.
«The second proposal would be a national digital literacy programme. It is important to teach all young people how to use digital tools so that they can participate in democracy properly,» she said, considering this measure essential to address the lack of knowledge regarding the use of technology in the country.
At the event organised by the Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (IMD), in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in Maputo, Sitoe called for young people to be involved in shaping public policy.
«Each of you here is invited to engage in this exercise of learning about or gaining a better understanding of digital literacy within the context of democracy and citizenship,» she added.
The debate seeks to reflect on the conditions necessary for more effective, inclusive, critical and responsible youth participation, against a backdrop of «profound» changes in the ways in which young people access information, express their opinions and organise themselves, particularly through digital platforms.
Meanwhile, the representative of the National Union of Students (UNE), Duarte Amaral, challenged civil society and youth organisations to strengthen and intensify civic education, with a view to fostering democratic principles amongst young people, in both their practical and legislative dimensions.
Amaral also highlighted the establishment of participatory communities as one of the initiatives capable of increasing young people's influence on community development.
«What we want is a political system that allows us to live together and enjoy an increasingly peaceful environment, both politically and socially,» said Amaral.
He also highlighted the emergence of institutional dependency, explaining that young people are led to feel dependent on institutions in decision-making processes aimed at the country's development.
«There is a political vulnerability rooted in the presidential system, which prevents the establishment of more effective mechanisms for the involvement of young people, youth organisations and other youth stakeholders in decision-making forums – something which would also serve to promote democracy,» he explained.
For Amaral, structural and cultural challenges still persist; he divided these into socio-economic and cultural factors and psychological factors, which contribute to young people being sidelined from decision-making centres.
«Young people are literally marginalised and politically excluded from decision-making forums, because there is what political scientists call ‘dependence on the past' – in the sense that today's youth lack structures capable of adequately responding to the challenges posed by modern states,» he added.
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