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

ANTANANARIVO – The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros congratulated 11 young Malagasy leaders for completing a six-week intensive U.S. leadership training known as the Mandela Washington Fellowship in an official ceremony last night.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). In past years, it has provided accomplished young leaders with the opportunity to study for six weeks at a university in the United States. In 2020, however, COVID-19 forced the program to change. Those selected for the program had to postpone their Fellowship or a year – only for it to become a virtual program in 2021.

Referencing these challenges, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Amy J. Hyatt said, “Confronted with these changes, you demonstrated perseverance. You displayed resilience, recovering quickly from each challenge. You remained adaptable, embracing the new virtual format and the opportunities that came with it. These are exactly the leadership traits we need right now.”

This year’s Mandela Washington Fellows from Madagascar include: Manamamonjy Alexandre (Civic Engagement track at the University of Delaware); Heriniaina Andriamalala (Public Management track at Georgia State University); Henintsoa Rakotoarison (Public Management at Wayne State University); James Rakotomalala (Business and Entrepreneurship at Clark Atlanta University); Tojosoa Ramarlina (Business and Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University); Tsiry Randrianavelo (Civic Engagement at the University of Georgia); Vony Randrianonenana (Civic Engagement at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln); Misa Rasolofoarison (Public Management at Arizona State University); Nadia Ratsimba (Business and Entrepreneurship at University of Notre Dame); and Patricia Razafindrakala (Public Management track at Georgia State University).

Addressing this group during the ceremony, the Vice Minister in charge of Youth and YALI Regional Center alumna Tahina Juliana Ratovoson said, “The reason why you’ve been selected for such a program is that you are among the best.” Minister of Economy and Finance Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison and Minister in charge of Fishing and Blue Economy Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante – both alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship – also joined the ceremony to congratulate this year’s Fellows.

Since 2014, more than 75 young Malagasy leaders have been selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Source: Press Release by U.S. Embassy Madagascar

U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros is proud to announce that the following young leaders will participate in the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellowship: Alexandre Manamamonjy, Henintsoa Rakotoarison, Heriniaina Andriamalala, James Rakotomalala, Jannie Nadia Ratsimba, Lova Randrianasolo, Misa Rasolofoarison, Nabeza Razafindrakala, Tojosoa Ramarlina, Tsiry Randrianavelo, and Vony Randrianonenana from Madagascar; as well as Aincha Aboubakar Oumadi, Chamsoudine Ali Abderemane and Hassan Fatma from Comoros.

Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the U.S. commitment to invest in the future of Africa. YALI was created in 2010 and supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since 2014, nearly 4,400 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and with the health, safety, and well-being of Fellows and Partners as the highest priority, the U.S. Department of State is planning a virtual Fellowship for 2021. While remaining in their home countries, Fellows will participate in virtual Leadership Institutes between June 21 and July 30, which will include leadership training, mentoring, and professional development.

After their Leadership Institutes, Fellows will participate in a virtual Summit. Additionally, up to 100 competitively selected Fellows from Sub-Saharan Africa will virtually engage in professional development with U.S. organizations in the public, private, or non-profit sector. Fellows can participate in Alumni Programming after their Fellowships to further build their professional skills and networks.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.

Source: Press Release by U.S. Embassy Antananarivo

The collaboration was initiated by Lucas Sergio Andriananja, known as PONK, the famous wall painter whose works can be seen in almost every corner of Madagascar, especially in Antananarivo. In the past, PONK gave many drawing and painting classes for various projects. His main inspiration has always been the creative exchanges with children.

"My life goal is to pass on the culture and traditions of my country, to exhibit and raise awareness of the reality of Madagascar through my paintings." – PONK

Many of PONK’s mural paintings are visible in Antananarivo. From 2015 to 2018, he had been working with Jamerla Koonaction to embellish some city areas and schools, including the Ampefiloha and Ankorondrano areas, Dzama company, Marie Stopes NGO, humanitarian association CRS Madagascar, Idées Madagascar NGO, and Hennessy Café. In 2020, he also worked with the Alliance Française Taolagnaro and the French High School of Antananarivo for various projects. Yet all this is only part of PONK's incredible know-how. His talent and ability to visualize realities of life and then reproduce them, whether on papers, walls, or canvas, make PONK unrivaled.

To bring out the artist in kids, PONK has chosen to work with ALFA Madagascar or African Leader for Africa (ALFA) since they have already performed a few projects together such as painting in public schools. This time, they intend to work further on an artistic and cultural project which aims at developing children's creativity and helping them to strengthen themselves and express their vision of the world that surrounds them.

On this occasion, an educational program for children aged 10-13 has been developed. The project is already part of ALFA's educational component as well. It will be accompanied by a set of environment-related activities. In short, this collaboration seeks to give art a positive image and to develop youngest children's potential.

What is on the agenda?

The project runs from June 1^st to June 18^th every Tuesday and Friday and will involve five to six staff members.  PONK and ALFA Madagascar have chosen a school in Alasora as the beneficiary of the program. About 35 Grade Eight children will receive a drawing course. The objective is to raise awareness about the world children are currently living in and to give them an idea of the future of humanity.

PONK and ALFA Madagascar have also included environmental education activities. Children will be asked to create and present 30-minutes long stories relating the benefits of a safe environment, the negative effects of environmental degradation, and environmental protection activities.

PONK and ALFA Madagascar expect beneficiary children to be aware of the effects of environmental degradation and to be ready to take action, even the smallest ones wherever they live.