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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.
Certain mechanisms are required to be put in place to make sure that migration is deterred or its rate is reduced to make it possible for the youth to contribute positively to rebuilding their home country. Employment is considered to be a powerful tool for tackling this and other issues.
The National Civic Forum together with Kalsan Employment & Consultancy Center organized a one-day forum on Youth migration and Unemployment in Somalia to address the issue and propose suggestions to remedy the situation. The program consisted of two phases that complemented each other, and started with speaker sessions that addressed youth challenges and leadership. The second part of the program was a round-table discussion in which more than 12 participants debated the two issues at hand. The participants some of which represented community organizations have unanimously agreed to take part in the efforts to create employment opportunities for the Somali youth to encourage them to stay in their home country and take part in the rebuilding process.
2.0 Background
Since the collapse of the last effective government in 1991 and the ensuing civil war, the number of youth migrating from their home country – Somalia – has been on the rise for reasons that are obvious such as the lack of peace and the search for a better life rich with opportunities. These youth take dangerous routes to reach their destinations which results in death in the worst of ways 90 percent of the time.
The National Civic Forum, as part of its efforts to generate ideas for rebuilding Somalia, has been working with civil society organizations; therefore, this is one of community organizations named Kalsan Employment and Consultancy Services (KECC) that NCF had organized with this forum to empower the youth and recognize their role as the backbone of the Somali society. The forum conducted on April 18 2009, has been focused on youth migration and unemployment in Somalia. The importance of this agenda is raised by the ever-increasing reports to the effect that hundreds of youth drown each year while trying to cross to Europe or Yemen.
Earlier, the youth have served as loyal militias to warring factions and formed the majority of the casualties in the civil wars. The role of youth was missing in the peace building process and still is.
3.0 Introduction
The National Civic Forum (NCF) supports all stakeholders in their efforts to establish and advocate for an effective mechanism for local, regional, national authority and international community and for the respect of human rights and development.
The aims of the NCF include:
a. The generation of ideas relevant to the Transitional Federal Government’s mandated period and beyond; and to make the ideas the basis for new public debates and discussions on the welfare of the Somali people.
b. Dissemination of ideas through the mass media and publications
c. Persistent and positive engagement of the Transitional Federal government, the Somali Society, and International community, particularly those interested in the welfare of the Somali Republic.
4.0 Methodology
4.1 Objectives
The goal of this one-day forum was to address youth migration and unemployment in Somalia. The participants and the guests were to debate in a peaceful, intellectual manner ways to deter the risky youth migration and creating jobs for them. The ideas brought forward would be used to formulate practical solutions for the issue at hand and will serve as a stepping stone for rebuilding Somalia by empowering the youth as a force for change.
To be specific, the objectives of the forum included:
a. To raise the community awareness and find ways to stop youth migration from Somalia or reduce its rates;
b. To address the root causes of youth migration and propose solutions to this problem;
c. To create awareness of youth migration and its disaster as many able youth have lost their lives in their efforts to move to the West;
d. To create awareness of employment opportunities and job creation as a mechanism to deter youth migration;
e. To encourage the youth to seek employment and form organizations to lobby for employment rights and to make an impression on business people and employment organizations;
f. To urge the youth to take part in the rebuilding process of their country;
g. To encourage the media and other organizations to be involved in the efforts to create awareness against migration and to promote job creation and employment opportunities.
4.2 Front Panelists
The participants of the forum included members from the National Civic Forum and Kalsan Employment and Consultancy, Youth and Peace activists, civil society members, business people, Somali Diaspora, professionals, Academicians and other members of guests.
The following individuals took part in the round table discussions as front panelists and were later joined by some others.
1. Mr. Mohamed Abdirashid Usman, a peace activist,
2. Mr. Abdirahman Mohammed Warsame – Somali Diaspora,
3. Ms. Rukia Mohamed Warsame, facilitator of Kalsan Employment & Consultancy Center,
4. Mr. Abdulkadir Mohamed Mursal, Chair,
5. Mr. Abdullahi Haider, from National Civic Forum – Executive Director,
6. Mr. Aadan Mohammud Taani, from GTZ but participating in the conference at his personal capacity;
7. Sheikh Hassan Mohammed Hassan, from Al Da’wa Wal-Irshaad Comm. Org.
8. Sheikh Siddiiq Iiraad, from Al Da’wa Wal-Irshaad, Community Organization;
9. Sheikh Abdirahman , from Al Da’wa Wal-Irshaad comm.. org.
10. Mohamed Mohamud Guure, from CPD;
4.3 Venue
The forum is organized by National Civic Forum in cooperation with Kalsan Employment and Consultancy Center and was held in Conference Room B at Andulus Hotel – Eastleigh Mall, Nairobi. The Hotel is located in a central location which facilitates ease of access; and the conference room was very suitable for such a meetings.
4.4 Discussion Format
The program consisted of two parts. The first part was the speaker sessions in which selected guest speakers and members from the National Civic Forum and Kalsan gave speeches revolving around youth empowerment, leadership and global challenges. Each speaker had a maximum speech time of 15 to 20 minutes.
The second part of the program was the round table discussions in a form of front panelists of moderators participated by over 10 members from the invited organizations and guests. The participants were supposed to take turns on the microphone to give their opinions on one of the agendas posed by the organizers. In the beginning, the facilitator guided the participants in a self-introduction round where each one of them gave a brief introduction of their names and occupations. Then, the Facilitator started the first round by asking the participants about their opinion on youth reducing or stopping migration. In the second round, the participants were to discuss employment and job creation and their utility as a tool for migration discouragement.
4.5 Facilitation
The round table discussion was facilitated by Mr. Abdulkadir M. Mursal and Mr. A. Behi, who were responsible for ensuring a smooth flow of the debate and that the participants do not take up more time than allotted. The rapporteur service was also provided by both Mr. Mursal and Behi.
5.0 Conclusions
5.1 Opening Remarks
The meeting organized by National Civic Forum (hereto forth referred to as the NCF) was commenced with a welcome statement and expression of thanks to the participation from different institutions and individual professionals at 2:15 PM on April 18, 2009 in Conference room B of Andalus Hotel.
A general statement on how this meeting relates to the alarming undergoing scenarios of Somali youth has been emphasized and explained to the participants. The opening remarks also included an introduction to what NCF does and also what Kalsan does and how they help address youth issues and the overall situation of Somalia. This forum was part of NCF efforts in creating awareness for the role of youth in rebuilding the country. The NCF focuses on doing research and publishing papers on community development, and organizing such forums that generate ideas for improving the condition of Somalia.
The agenda and program schedule was distributed among the participants and guests. Guest speaker sessions were to start the conference, followed by case studies on the two major issues on the table: youth migration and youth unemployment in Somalia. A press release related to Migration statistics and consequences prepared by Kalsan was also distributed.
5.2 Speaker Sessions
The guest speaker sessions were kicked off by Mr. Abdirizak Laylon who has talked in lengths about the youth and today’s global challenges highlighting that the youth form the majority of the population – 60 per cent and above according to his estimation. He stated that the youth is a force that can bring change on its own and cited in reference to the SYL - Somali Youth League’s 13 members as an example to youth power. Mr. Abdirizak pointed out that the role of the Somali youth is missing and that building a peaceful nation requires youth that are united and who recognize their role. The Somali youth, instead of taking on the responsibility for bringing change to their war-torn nation, migrate to other countries leaving their own country to the mercy of the older generation. Mr. Abdirizak closed his speech with a statement that the youth have to right to make a difference in their own country and not run away from its current problems.
Mr. Mohamed Abdirashid Usman’s speech on the role of youth was next in the speaker sessions. Prof. Mohamed pointed out that the youth is the backbone of the Somali society as they are for every other nation and that they need to recognize such a role. He reminded those in attendance the consequences of leaving the country’s fate to the older generation that failed to do anything in the last two decades and that it was time for youth leadership. About the matter of youth migration, Mr. Mohamed highlighted that it is important to know the root cause of youth migration and to treat it. He said that it is the lack of security and harmony that causes youth migration.
Sheikh Hassan Mohamed Hassan representing Al-Da’wa Wal-Irshad was the next to be invited to the podium. He started with expression of gratitude for the invitation and the efforts that NCF and Kalsan have spent on organizing such a conference. He suggested that honesty is a prerequisite for every good deed and we should all be determined to do tackle these issues affecting the community since it is a religious requirement to discuss these matters and do something about it as much as possible. He emphasized the role of the Ulima (religious scholars) in orienting the youth so that they realize their role as the backbone of the society. He closed his speech with compliments for undertaking this endeavor and promised to say more about what Islam says about migration to other countries.
5.3 Case Study on Youth Migration
The Facilitator called on Mr Mohamed Amin, a young migrant who had tried to migrate to Europe taking a dangerous route, to share his experience and its consequences with those in attendance. Mr Mohamed started with an emotional expression of gratitude to Kalsan Employment & Consultancy Center for helping him rebuild his life and encourage such efforts as it may save many more youth wasting their lives while trying to migrate. Mr Mohamed started relating to his experience by talking about where he used to live. He said that he left with a group of 20 boys and girls from Mogadishu. Their destination was Libya, where they planned to catch a boat to Malta and Italy as it was the route many other youth have taken to Europe. They traveled on road to Galkacyo to Bosasso and to Hargeisa as their final destination inside the country. From Hargaysa he said they had moved on to Zone 5 of Ethiopia where they have walked for 3 hours and than caught a bus to a place 10 Km. from Adis Ababa. They left Ethiopia, traveling towards Sudan. Their first destination in Sudan was that part controlled by the rebels of John Grand who have harassed them and demanded that all girls be left behind. They have waited for a couple of hours until the girls have been released after being raped. While still in that area, Mr. Mohamed recalled, their driver accidently hit a 13 year old boy and was apprehended. The people of John Grand asked for the driver and demanded that the police release him to them, and they killed him on the spot.
After 7 days, other driver was brought in to continue the journey. When they have reached the area controlled by the Sudan government, they have been imprisoned for 1 year and 7 months after which time they have been released and sent back home through the same way they came through.
When they had come back to Mogadishu, the despair prevailing in the home country he said had forced them to consider migration again. This time they made Kenya their destination. On their way, again the girls who came with them were raped in Bur Hakaba – Bay region in Somalia, and they had been also imprisoned in Garissa for two months during which they were brutally beaten. Those who gave a ransom amount were released after two months and the rest were left in poor health and mental conditions in that prison. From Garissa, they finally reached Nairobi with nothing on them – no food, jobs nor education. Mr Mohamed has concluded his speech that Kalsan has given them a chance at a better life and education and pledged not to try migration again.
5.4 Round-Table Debates and Discussions
During this session, a round table discussions in the front of the forum was organized and participated by representatives from the National Civic Forum, Kalsan Employment & Consultancy Center and invited individuals and organizations including Al-da’wa Wal-Irshad, intellectuals and representatives of local and International NGOs who participated both in their professional capacity and/or as individuals.
The Facilitator started the discussions with an overview of the debate protocol and the theme of the debate. He stated that we many people know the causes of youth migration which boil down to the lack of security in the homeland and the search for better life and opportunities most important of which is employment. He emphasized the following two points as the issues at hand:
- How can we stop or reduce youth migration? And,
- How can we create jobs for the youth?
Each panelist was given couple of minutes to give his opinion and suggest a remedy to these issues. Before the discussions were commenced, the Facilitator asked each of the participants to introduce him-or-herself.
After the introduction, the facilitator stated that all the participants and guests in the room are migrants on whatever reasons they may have. He put forward the first of the debate agenda: Youth Migration.
5.4.1 Youth Migration: Causes, Consequences and Mechanisms for Reduction or Prevention
One of the panelists started the discussion on youth migration emphasizing that migration is a good thing. He related to his own experience about migration saying that he left the country long before the civil war and that because of migration he has built for himself a successful life. He stated that migration is a phenomenal thing and civilizations have been built by migration, and that his concern was more about how the youth today try to migrate. He said that it is the method that is the problem and not migration itself, and that whether it [migration] is a good thing or a bad thing depends on where you look at it.
Some of the other panelists agreed on the point that migration is not totally a bad thing and that it depends on where you look at it. It was raised that the root cause of youth migration is the lack of sufficient employment opportunities and education. The youth’s understanding of their role in the society is the key to solving this problem. Job creation was suggested as a tool to deter youth migration and the responsibility was seen to fall partly on the shoulders of the youth themselves as they have to seek jobs from businesses and employment organizations and come up with initiatives.
In an answer to whether migration could be stopped or even reduced, one of the panelists said that he believes that migration can never be stopped or reduced, and that technical steps need to be taken to make youth feel that they can build a life in their own country. Although migration was recommended by the speaker, it was again agreed that the method of migration should be of concern. The method is what makes migration a worthless effort as the means are more or less like gambling with one’s life. It was also pointed out that the scope of the youth subject be more specific so that the conference results in practical and meaningful suggestions for action. It was seen that if the youth in a certain area were made the focus of the conference, the end result would be a more effective conclusion and action plan.
In religious terms, the Islamic scholars in attendance talked about migration and its meaning in Arabic being equivalent to Hijrah (leaving from one place for another) and said that in the light of Islam it can be either lawful or unlawful. They highlighted that Hijrah or migration is a personal issue and depends on a situation the person migrating is in. The reasons may be fear of being harmed or any other. They also cited the reasons mostly attributed to Migration which include the lack of security and the search of better life opportunities, and pointed out that, in religious terms, migrating from a Muslim country to a non-Muslim one is not allowed in Islam. One does not have to go to the west to seek a better life, and referred to the success of the business community in Kenya as an example to support his point.
Other panelists talked about the issue of youth migration and added to the classification of migration by looking at migration as temporarily fleeing from local conflicts. In this view, migration can be divided into two categories: migrating from Somalia to a neighboring country such as Kenya and Migrating from the neighboring country to the West. The first is the result of instability in the country which forced the people to flee their homes. The second migration is due to the financial reasons such as the lack of job opportunities for the youth and seeking education. Another major reason, that forces youth to migrate to the West and pass through dangerous routes to their destinations is the lack of proper documents to help them travel safely.
It was also pointed out that it is very important to agree on the concept of migration in the context of Somali youth. In Somali, migration in this context is referred as Tahriib, which originates from an Arabic term akin to smuggling. It was seen to first agree on and know the difference between the normal migration and the smuggling of people across the borders and to know that smuggling is unlawful.
5.4.2 Youth Employment: Its Opportunities and Impact on Youth Migration
The Facilitator signaled for changing the discussion towards the second issue in the agenda of the round-table discussions which was about Youth Employment. A question about the factors that need to be available for the youth to keep them in their country and help rebuild it was posed. It was time to discuss the role of job creation in deterring or reducing youth migration.
In this regard, the importance of restricting the scope of the subject of youth was raised again. The discussions were focused on the youth in East Leigh to have a fruitful discussion with effective, practical suggestions.
The youth in Nairobi, especially those in EastLeigh, fell into two categories under this context of migration: those who are in transit and planning to travel to the west whatever their means would be, and those seeking legal documents to help them travel to look for better job opportunities or education. On the other hand, The programs local and International NGOs have created to help create jobs of the youth were discussed and evaluated. Their weaknesses were mentioned as being temporary and lacking sustainability. The efforts of organizations such as the UNDP and NOVIB were cited as examples. An initiative pushed forward by some NGO named Cash Relief which is based on a micro financing scheme was also cited with compliments.
It was suggested that the youth get organized to have an impression on the Somali Business Community and other organizations that help create jobs and cited the efforts of the SBC to create job opportunities for the Somali youth. To reflect on the current situation of the youth in East Leigh, it was stated that the majority are in transit and do not take advantage of the many opportunities they have here.
The attention of the panelists and participants was drawn to the importance of qualifications and skills to get jobs, and put forth a suggestion that the focus should be on education and skill development. One of the panelists suggested that education is not about going to universities, and that innovation is required to create job opportunities. He said that coming up with an idea that can help generate money and pursuing it will create job and educational opportunities. He concluded his discussion with a suggestion to Kalsan that they give more attention to education and skill development programs as a solution to the two issues at hand.
One of the businessmen in the front panelists reminded those in attendance that communities are the foundation through which people can collaborate to build a better nation. He stated that in EastLeigh there is no community organization and commended Kalsan to have filled that role. He cited traditional Somali proverbs that encouraged to build one’s own country instead of fleeing its problems and suggested that the business people and the media should get more involved in promoting such good causes as the one the National Civic Form and Kalsan are lobbying for. He said that change should start within us as individuals to see a positive change in the whole society. The role of community organizations in providing better options for the youth was mentioned with examples of a community in South Africa that helped fund the education of 1873 students at university levels.
According to a veteran human trafficker who used to help migrate the youth by lump sum amounts of money ranging from US$17000 to US$18000 per person suggested that the problem is on the side of the parents who fund the dangerous expeditions of their children. He said that instead of spending that much money on migrating our children to those countries, it could be invested to create job opportunities and better life for more than one person. He mentioned that he has married a South African lady so that his business may be facilitated. He regretted what he had done, taking an example as to how he became a wanted man. He said he has now changed his occupation to business.
Scholars and academicians in attendance talked about youth challenges today and called to the attention of the guests and participants the last International Youth Conference that took place in the United States just the day before. They shared with the audience an online resource through which they can communicate with 4 international youth ambassadors and access resources related to youth development. They also stated that the solution is in learning from the situation.
The businessmen in the front panelists proposed investment opportunities for the money spent on migrating the youth to the West. They mentioned that many business opportunities exist here in East Leigh that need investment and suggested that if a small group of young men and women who are ready to invest the money they have saved for their dangerous journeys to the west and open a store that imports goods from the East, it could not only create jobs for them but for many others as well.
A suggestion for Kalsan to act on this idea and open the first business started under this initiative before the next meeting was put forth.
Again a similar initiative in which 150 youth were trained by an International NGO as consultants was mentioned. Before, the NGO’s operating in Somalia employed Kenyan and Non-Somali staff to help them report from the country and implement projects. Now 120 of those trained consultants are actively participating in relief operations and each earns at least US$1000 per month. They have benefited the International NGOs since they know the land better which results in more precise reporting. It was attested by one of the panelists who is a staff member of an International NGO that there is a need for Somali people who have the skills and qualifications to serve the NGOs. Creativity on the side of the youth was encouraged to come up with initiatives that generate money.
The selection of suitable career paths and providing free career counseling services to the youth was suggested to orient the youth towards building their respective skills. Some of the participa
Migration of a positive cause is always encouraged. These include seeking knowledge with the intent of coming back and giving back to your people and country. The biggest civilizations the world has seen so far have been built because of the continuous exchange of knowledge between people of different origins, languages and circumstances. Skill development could also be carried out in the country peace being a precondition for that and other better life with opportunities. It was urged that people should recognize the importance and role of professionals and skilled labor, and that NGOs and other organizations should focus on building skills for the youth and establishing vocational training centers. Suggestions were made to the GTZ and similar organizations whose capacity is to undertake these initiatives. The awareness programs should start with helping the youth understand the philosophy of the Somali life and its foundations to keep them in their country.
During theses sessions of the debate, the larger audiences mainly youth had been taking part and were allowed to intervene and pose questions to the panelists from each point of the discussions.
5.5 Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:45 and it was agreed that the next meeting will be bigger and the participants were urged to continue their efforts in finding a solution for the Somali youth and the war-torn nation they hail from.
6.0 Next Steps
It was unanimously agreed that the ideas brought up in the round table discussions be put into action. The organizers of the forum were asked to come up with employment initiatives and job creation proposals for the unemployed youth. The local and International NGO representatives in the forum were urged to support these initiatives and put forth proposals for skill development for the youth. The business community and the media were also encouraged to take part in the efforts to save the Somali youth and help them understand their role in rebuilding Somalia.