Between September 20-23, the United Nations' Summit of the Future will meet in New York. A gathering of world leaders, it aims to forge a new international consensus on delivering a ‘better present’ and safeguarding the future. 

The Summit is set to work on achieving global joint action on major issues facing the world, including growing youth populations, climate change and conflict.

The Anglican Communion's UN team will be present, to represent Anglican voices in the areas of science, youth and peace. 

In the lead up to the UN's Summit of the Future, Grace Maghanga, a youth member of "Green Anglicans" shares a compelling blog on the need to engage the voices of young people in politics and decision making. Following the Gen-Z protests in Kenya this summer, she points to the role that faith communities can play in working for peace, youth empowerment and stability in community life. 

What had begun as disquiet on the social media platforms concerning Kenya’s Finance bill 2024 turned out to be a landmark period in Kenya’s governance due active citizen participation in matters of governance. The Government of Kenya intended to use the bill to increase revenue through introduction and increase of the various taxes and levies. This included increase of VAT on essential goods, introduction of taxes on digital transactions, and increased excise duties on fuel.

The bill led to public outcry, with many arguing that it would disproportionately affect low-income households and small businesses.

As the citizens raised their voice and concerns to the politicians concerning the finance bill especially on the social media platforms such as “X”, formally twitter, politicians and senior government officials rubbished their online concerns and agitation as being inconsequential.

They claimed that politics is a “contact sport” which required engagement in the chambers of parliament and not on the virtual platform.

Disturbed by the apathy of their parents and the older members of society, Gen-Zs took the lead in the anti-Finance bill protest.

As some members of the political class downplayed the concerns and agitation of the youth, opposition to the finance bill kept growing with the youth receiving support from the older generations and the public. 

On 25 June, the anti-finance bill protests reached the climax after parliament was breached leaving Kenya’s members of parliament scampering for safety. The protestors made their way to parliament seemingly to make a statement to the lawmakers.

The head of state would declare a security situation later and the military deployed to support the Police in maintaining law and order.

What had started as online agitation escalated to a security situation leading to loss of lives, injuries and disruption of livelihoods as the protests intensified with the alleged infiltration of goons.

The anti-finance bill protests led to the rejection of the bill by Kenya’s president and the dissolution of the cabinet among other changes in government operations.  

The underlying issues 

The finance bill 2024 with all its challenges was but a trigger, there were concerns with Finance bill 2023, which was contested that it found its way in the courts.

For the youth, the Finance bill appeared to compound their problems with fears of divesture in the country leading to further unemployment.

Youth unemployment is a major problem in Kenya like in many other African countries. The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) estimates that over one million youth join the labor market annually without any skills, some after dropping out of school or having no college education.

The Kenya Institute of public policy research and analysis (KIPPRA) acknowledges that Kenya has a large and vibrant youth population, with about 75% of the population being below 35 years. It also observes that many of the youth have difficulty accessing decent employment opportunities that match their skills  

The role of the Anglican church of Kenya 

At the height of the anti-finance bill protests, the Anglican Church played a very critical role. Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit released a statement on behalf of the Anglican Church of Kenya calling for calm.

He commended Gen-Z for coming out boldly to express themselves and strongly condemned the police for targeting hospitals, churches, mosques and the media because they had lobbied teargas into places of worship and shot at protesters retreating into such places for safety.

He also called on the international community to intervene due to their role as key stakeholders in youth empowerment and engagement. He called upon them to stand in solidarity with the people of Kenya and support the call for justice and peace. 

Going into the Summit of the Future 

The Summit of the Future aims to develop a Pact of the Future with organisers referring to it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity”, aiming to strengthen global governance for the sake of present and future generations.

The summit focuses on seven themes, one of them being human rights and participation with an overall action-oriented deliberation on youth inclusion in decision making. 

This goes to show that youth voices are crucial in shaping the future under the pressures of today. Improving global governance is dependent on the united actions between the international stage and grassroots in countries like Kenya.The state of a nation should be a challenge to its region and the globe at large.

We the youths are asking pertinent questions like how we ensure meaningful youth engagement in decision-making is upheld. How do we align unity with diversity of perceptions, sovereignty with collective integrity and logic with innovation to solve our challenges? 

The cries from the youths of Kenya point out leadership as our greatest challenge.  The Summit gives the youths of Kenya and around the world an opportunity to be heard and create an environment where Kenyans can exist peacefully with the government with fewer cases of human rights violations during peaceful protests.  

Going into the Summit, I am encouraged by 1 Corinthians 14:40, "Let everything be done in a fitting and proper manner that is organised, well-planned, respectful, well-mannered, and polite." I hope the Summit succeeds in developing new legal frameworks that ensure an active role for young people in shaping the decisions that affect them. It is also crucial that the world considers how today’s policies, decisions and actions affect current and future generations.  

Read more about Anglicans at Summit of the Future

Read about the Anglican Archbishop of Kenya's recent message to the nation calling for peace, unity and prayer