Report of the Public Forum Held on April 18, 2009 at Andulus Hotel, Nairobi

 Youth everywhere is considered to be the backbone of every society and the majority of the population in every community. The Somali youth have been severely impacted by the civil war and domestic conflicts that followed the ousting of the effective central regime in 1991 to a level that a large number of them had to flee their country and migrate to the West, the Gulf and the neighboring countries. The lack of peace back home is not the only reason many of the youth had left their country at a time they were needed most; but pursuit of opportunities such as employment and education is an important factor that is part of what encouraged them to leave.

Every year hundreds or thousands of able Somali youth die trying to cross the water separating the African continent from their destinations. Many face inhumanities that range from brutal beatings, murder and rape on their way to the coast lines. The stories of those who were lucky to cross to the next side tell to relate to the horrible experiences they have gone through makes one consider if it is worth the effort. Somalia has been without an effective central government for almost two decades and the only hope for change is in changing the leadership. The youth have to realize their role in re-establishing peace in Somalia and the time has come for them to take up this responsibility instead of leaving their country behind at the mercy of the older generation.