It is the first time in the history of the ministry that a 32-year-old woman has been appointed Vice-Minister in charge of Youth. Through an interview with the AmCham, Juliana Ratovoson announces the upcoming amendment of the National Youth Policy (PNJ) and provides a framework for the scope and direction of the ministry’s priorities.

It is not common to see a young woman like you holding a government position. Let us go back over your impressive history within the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

I joined the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2016 as the director of partnerships and development and kept that position for two years. In 2019, I was promoted Director-General of Youth within the same ministry until President Rajoelina appointed me Vice-Minister in charge of Youth in August 2021.

From your personal observations since you were involved in the ministry, how active and involved are young people in Madagascar, especially those in the regions?

Young people in Antananarivo are quite active. So do their peers in other regions but they do need more backing. As our President said, no region or district should be left out.

Could you give us updates about the National Youth Policy (PNJ)?

The last update of the PNJ dates to 2015. Since then, priorities have changed, and we must consider certain amendments. We must assess the real impact of the PNJ on youth. Today, we focus our efforts on the implementation of the National Youth Council, an inclusive and federating platform and every stakeholder from any region will find their proper place. The National Youth Council will make the amendment of the PNJ easier. The Ministry has also created the Coordination Cell of Movements and Associations (CCMA) to map and gather every single player in every corner of the country. As of now, the amendment is still a project to be submitted to the Parliament.

What are the most pressing youth issues that the Ministry considers top priorities?

Always unemployment first. How to provide jobs to young people and how to help them create jobs through entrepreneurship. However, there are many other important issues that we must address through civic and citizenship education, personal development, trainings. We must protect young people from early pregnancy and drugs. We must empower young people because many only wait for things to be brought to them on a silver platter.

The Ministry is also launching a new department called “Direction de la Jeunesse et du Rayonnement International” to promote our youth’s participation in international fellowships, internships, workshops, or scholarships. The directorate will work with these youth programs and embassies. I was fortunate enough to have an international background and I would love to inspire my younger peers to follow the example.

Let us go back to the unemployment issues. What solutions does the Ministry come up with to tackle youth unemployment? What kind of coordination or collaboration is there between different ministries?

Interdepartmental collaboration is essential. We fight for better services to young people, but the other ministries (Technical Education and Professional Training / Industrialization, Trade and Consumption / Crafts / Public Offices, etc…) provide the needed resources. We should offer more professional trainings and build on the talent of our youth. Young people are not enough equipped. If we look at FIHARIANA, for example, not a lot of young people have been beneficiaries so far. We must fight for a larger quota of young people. With the “Pôle Emploi Jeune”, we are seeking to support young entrepreneurs at the national level to scale up their small businesses.

Youth associations have changed the game these last years. How would the Ministry support their valuable efforts?

I call on youth organizations from every field to lend a hand and discuss about the strategy to implement to address youth issues. The Ministry will keep providing resources (trainings and equipment). We are going to identify the most talented artists from every region and launch a nationwide competition to boost entertainment in Madagascar. All of these represent a huge challenge, but we must be ready to take it up and prove that young people are capable of making things happen.

Does the government really listen to young people?

Appointing a 32-year-old woman member of the government clearly shows how committed to young people the President is. The purpose of my position as Vice-Minister in charge of Youth is to get closer to young people and to break the wall between young people and government officials.

Your message to young Malagasy people?

Young people are the future of our country. It is high time young people woke up and took their responsibilities. The Ministry is here to serve the youth. However, I call upon youth communities to walk hand in hand with us to develop and strengthen youth policies. We need young patriots, young people who care for the country and its future; and young people who mind their neighbours.

Interview by Kenny Raharison