SAYDS

I was rewatching the latter part of our engagements during the recent SAYDS 2024 conference and I couldn't be more proud of the SAYDS Fellows. It is indeed beautiful to witness the collective dedication to #youth development and #policy making in Kenya. And while we all carry different visions for our varied stations in life, it is my hope that your #visions will find homes in people and institutions that will help them thrive. Many thanks to my co-panelists Samuel Mue Joseph Gachira Muchiri Mike, Perpetua Muthoni Susan Kimani for an engaging event. And you can find the whole session here 🔗https://lnkd.in/dD6HXiZ3

The Kiambu Youth Development Conference which we organized,The young leaders Association,on friday this week was not only a success but the best! We thank God Almighty for making Friday, September 20th, kick off smoothly. The youth turned up in great numbers, ready to fully experience the day with positivity. We gathered at Familia Moja Children’s Home, and I take this opportunity to thank the entire team—our Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and all involved. There were various workshops which were conducted on mental health, project management, poverty and unemployment A special appreciation goes to all our partners: The National Youth Council, SAYDS, Mind to Heart, Be the Change, Kukisa, Kupsa, RCMRD, RCTI, friends of nature,Youth power etc We look forward to even more collaborations and growth ahead. #TheYoungLeadersAssociation #TheNationalYouthCouncil Youth Pawa Friends of Nature Network mindtoheartforum Kiambu County SAYDS @Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development

On August 17th, I had the opportunity to attend the Kenya Model United Nations 6th Annual Intervarsity Debate Diplomatic Conference at Kenyatta University School of Law Campus. The theme of the event was " The Role of the International Financial Institutions in Shaping State Economic and Monetary Policies graced by distinguished speakers, including Senator Okiya Omtata of Busia County, Senator Daniel K. Maanzo of Makueni County, Moses Toma from SAYDS and Senior Associate Ezekiel Njagi from Rachier And Amollo Advocates. A key takeaway is the critical role of active youth participation in ensuring accountability within government affairs. Quite an insightful event! (Last frame: my colleagues and I from the Partnerships Office, KMUN with Deputy Secretary General Cynthia Michira) Deborah Nzomo Victor Ashioya Brenda Mwangi

🌍 Reflecting on a Dynamic Inter-varsity Debate with Kenya Model United Nations 🎓 Recently, I had the privilege of participating in an inter-varsity debate organized by Kenya Model UN at Kenyatta University Parklands. The experience was both intellectually stimulating and profoundly insightful, as we tackled pressing global issues that are critical to the future of our planet One of the key topics I debated was: 1. 🌲 Infrastructure for Climate Mitigation in Developing Nations: We delved into the challenges that developing countries face in building the necessary infrastructure to combat climate change. The debate highlighted the urgent need for investment in resilient infrastructure that can support sustainable development and climate adaptation efforts. 2. 💻 Limitations in STEM Fields to Address Current Global Issues: We explored the constraints within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) that hinder our ability to tackle today's most pressing challenges, from climate change to global health. The discussion emphasized the importance of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in overcoming these barriers. Adding to the richness of the event, we were honoured to receive a diplomatic address from several distinguished guests: Senator Okiyah Omtatah Senator Daniel K. Maanzo Senior Associate Ezekiel Njagi(Rachier And Amollo Advocates ) Mr. Moses Toma (Lawyer & Systemic Insights for Policy Development Expert, SAYDS) Mr. Dennis Korir (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Members from SAYDS (Systems Acumen for Youth-led Development Solutions) Panel Highlights: 👨🎓 Youth Activism: Discussed the pivotal role of youth in shaping economic policies and driving social accountability. 💰 Financial Institutions & Democracy: Explored the influence of global financial institutions like the IMF on democratic states. 💵 IMF’s Role in Kenya: Analyzed how IMF policies have impacted Kenya's economy and long-term goals. 🏢 Senators’ Role: Highlighted the critical role of senators in monetary policy and promoting accountability. 🏛 Parliament’s Independence: Debated the extent to which Kenya's Parliament operates independently from external influences. Their insights on diplomacy, governance, and international cooperation were invaluable, reinforcing the importance of dialogue and collaboration in solving global issues. I cannot go any forward without acknowledging the participants from my chapter Africa Nazarene Model UN who were robust with energy in delivering and deliberating crucial points to be heard and The insights gained from these debates were both eye-opening and inspiring, reinforcing the importance of informed discourse in addressing global challenges. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to these critical conversations and look forward to continuing to engage in discussions that drive positive change. #KenyaModelUN #DiplomaticConference #Governance #YouthInvolvement #IMF #Kenya #Sovereignty #Devolution

I had the incredible opportunity to be part of an amazing team of systems leaders, such as Robert O. Odera, Shania Achieng, and Moses Toma, graced with the opportunity of representing SAYDS at the Kenya Model United Nations (KMUN) 6th Annual Intervarsity Debate, and it was truly an enriching experience. Not only did I get to engage in thought-provoking discussions on pressing global issues, but I also had the honor of meeting and interacting with esteemed individuals such as Senator Omkiyah Omtatah, Busia County. His insights and perspectives were truly inspiring. In addition, I had the privilege of engaging with a panel of distinguished professionals, including Senator Daniel K. Maanzo , Makueni County, and Senior Associate Ezekiel Njagi from Rachier & Amollo LLP. Their expertise and knowledge added depth to the discussions, and I learned so much from their experiences. The event was a fantastic opportunity for networking, learning, and broadening my understanding of global affairs. It reminded me of the power of dialogue in shaping our world for the better. I am grateful for this enriching experience at KMUN 6th Annual Intervarsity Debate and look forward to applying these insights in my work with SAYDS. #KMUNDebate #KMUN #Sustainability #Youthleadership #Sustainabledevelopment #systemsthinking #complexitythinking #sdgadvocate #sdgs #systemsleadership

✨CELEBRATING THE WINS!✨Last week, I had the privilege of attending the African Youth Systemic Insights for Development (AYSID) Conference 2024 hosted by the Systems Acumen for Youth-led Development Solutions (SAYDS).SAYDS is a non-profit organization that aims to tackle the issue of youth exclusion, marginalization and disengagement from development work.Not only did I get the opportunity to gain sustainable development insights from an esteemed panel featuring Sandra Ochola Michael Muchiri, Susan Kimani and Sam Mue, but I was also able to facilitate a workshop showcasing the application of the Complex Analysis Toolkit to the issue of poverty in Kibera. Join us today to be part of the wave of transformative change driven purely by the youth! #sayds #systemsthinking #complexitythinking #sustainabledevelopment #AYSID2024 #Tendom #KMUN #sustainability 

It was a pleasure speaking at the 2nd annual Africa Youth - Led Systemic Insights for Development (AYSID) Conference. I met many amazing people who share in the vision for a wholesome and civically engaged citizenry. Some of the panel topics included; 💡How can youth be more effectively involved in the policymaking process at both local and national levels going forward? 💡Which policies and programs are in place to support youth engagement in sustainable development? 💡What are some of the organizations that young people can potentially engage with when it comes to nation building and policy making?. 💡What practical strategies can help young people sustain their hope and energy in the face of ongoing setbacks and fatigue, particularly in light of recent protests and civic action? 💡What are the most significant barriers to youth participation in community development projects? How can we overcome them? Many thanks to SAYDS Samuel Mue Joseph Gachira Muchiri Mike Levy Odera , Perpetua Muthoni Susan Kimani for an engaging event. I'm already looking forward to the next one and I wish the fellows all the best, as they continue with their leadership journeys. 💐 Abner Dlamini Catherine Koskei Rosa Wachuka Viona Kageha

🌠INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: APPRECIATION POST🌠 📍Yesterday marked the United Nations' International Youth Day, and I am reminded of the harmony, purpose and unity that the youth so graciously inspire! 📌As a member of the SAYDS Community Association (SCA), I'm privileged to be working with such creative, self-driven youth as my colleagues. The Program has granted us a platform to fully utilize our skills while equally valuing the distinct professions and knowledge that our members possess. From lawyers, to economists, to engineers, to social workers, researchers, etc,. - all hoping to create a sustainable future for our country. 🎯The SCA celebration is a reminder that where great minds gather, solutions arise. As systems thinkers, our goal is to use Systems Acumen to design social interventions to our communities' social issues. For instance, my team Rosa Wachuka, Moses Toma, Robert Odera and I, among others, are working to tackle the issue of poor urban planning and waste management in Kibera, particularly in Sarangombe and Makina wards. United in this purpose, we have consistently relied on each other to organize and conduct community forums and workshops on the social issue. And, we're always looking forward to hosting and facilitating more! To all the amazing young people out there, may this International Youth Day remind you of your incredible potential and the impact you can make.✨ #UN #UNIYD #InternationalYouthDay #Sayds #AYSID2024 #systemsthinking #complexitythinking #sustainabledevelopment #sustainability #SDGs #urbanplanning #poorurbanplanning #wastemanagement #environmentalsustainability

Happy International Youth Day! 🌍✨ At SAYDS, we recently wrapped up our second Africa Youth-Led Systemic Insights for Development (AYSID) conference, and the timing could not have been more ideal. Over the past few weeks, we've seen the power of youth engagement in nation-building. We now find ourselves at a crossroad where young people are increasingly asking, “Where do we go from here?” To unpack this pressing question, I had the honor of moderating a panel discussion where we explored strategies to sustain youth engagement and drive long-term social change. Huge thanks to my incredible panelists: Samuel Mue (Executive Director, Kenya ni Mimi), Susan Kimani (Community Worker, Nairobi County), Joseph Gachira (Co-Founder, Inuka Leadership), Sandra Ochola (Author, Teen Guide to the Kenyan Constitution), and Muchiri Mike (Founder, Civic Rise) 🙌 💡 Our panelists left us with a renewed sense of hope and valuable insights on how to access relevant information regarding public participation. My top takeaways from the discussion were the importance of understanding our governance systems in order to effectively engage with them and the reminder that this journey of national transformation is a marathon and not a sprint. 🎉 We also got to celebrate our third cohort of youth who just completed their one-year SAYDS fellowship. They’ve been equipped with systems thinking skills and an understanding of Kenya’s policymaking process—crucial knowledge for this moment in time. I have no doubt they will play a central role in shaping their communities and our nation. 🌱🇰🇪 Extremely grateful to the team that helped to put this conference together and to Dr. Levy Odera for his strong commitment to equipping young people to be active citizens. He has championed many, myself included and I'm truly excited to see what lies ahead for SAYDS🎉🎉 #InternationalYouthDay2024 #SystemsThinking #YouthLeadership #PublicPolicy #Governance

After a year of interactive lectures, thorough research, oral presentations, and community forums I am happy to announce that I graduated as a systems thinker. The 2nd of August marked the end of a very eventful and enlightening intellectual journey. I am grateful to SAYDS for the opportunity to sharpen my research, oratory, and leadership skills and to make new connections I look forward to the next level as I endeavor to effect change with systems and complexity thinking. #systemsthinking #systemsacumen #sayds #cohortthree #graduant