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The time is now for young people
Now Zimbabwe Trust
September 02, 2011

According to statistics and facts on youth development the unemployment rate is at about 80%, HIV prevalence rate is around 13,63% (National Aids Council), majority of youth aged between 18 and 30s is depending on parents for livelihood yet about 70% of the country's population is made up of young people. It is beyond any reasonable doubt that young people are the future of the nation. However, it is sad to note that young people today find themselves in a gripping position in the face of unemployment (rate about 80%), insecurity, unable to access education, health, credit lines, daily basic needs, exploitation, poverty and exclusion yet they are the future. Zimbabwe Central Statistics approximate that 85% are informally employed and 83% living on less than US$ 2 a day. Now Zimbabwe Trust is making a call to all young people living in Zimbabwe and Diaspora to have a voice and state in their own and in the development of their own society. The time for socio- economic transformation and fulfillment of individual capacities is now. Now is the time to demystify uncertainties pertaining to our future. We need to stand up and take action through active and conscious participation in the development process as well as assuming our future roles and responsibilities in the development of Zimbabwe.

As young people we have a mandate to fashion and develop society in all its ramifications. Development is a shared responsibility and as young people we have a right and role to play in the development of our own society. Passing development in silence will be a great disservice to our society, we have something better to give society than uncertainty. The time is now for youth to have solidarity and confidence as we seek to embark on a fruitful period of embittering humanity and society. This comes at a time when global environment is changing at a fast rate, thus we need to turn ideas on youth development into action. Young people should be at the center of their own development.

Now Zimbabwe Trust is an initiative for the youth by the youth. We do not discriminate according to gender, race, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation. We aim to build an essential factor in the continuity and permanence of the youth development process, embracing all democratic processes whose apprenticeship is a matter of generations rather than weeks or months. The youth of Zimbabwe, the time is now for the recognition of youth rights and interests, and the creation of a conducive environment for sustainable youth development. All young people are worth respect and human dignity and thus have a role to play in the development process. Now is the time for inclusivity in nation building endeavors.

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