Chad

Please provide us with your views on the state of youth (un)employment in your country, and how it affects your country's state of peace?

Chad is a vast country in Central Africa. Because of its size and demographic dividend, it is one of the most virgin countries in the world. The contrast is visible between untapped economic opportunities, slower human index development, stagnant social conditions, and the observed growth of youth unemployment.

According to the 2016 Human Development Index, Chad ranked 186th out of 188 countries, ahead of Niger and the Central African Republic. The year 2017 was marked by very weak economic growth, with a rate of 0.7% after -6.4% in 2016, and only 1.8% in 2015. For the year 2018 the projected growth rate is 2.6%. With a rapid population growth, Chad has more than 12,628,000 inhabitants. Nearly 46% of the population of working age is unemployed, with an unemployment rate of 22%. This mainly affects the age group 15 to 30, which makes up 60% of the population and is not afforded the possibility of fully developing its potential. From a global point of view, apart from young graduates, there is an ambivalent situation of widespread underemployment.

Unemployed youth with few prospects and little hope for their future could be a danger to themselves and to society. Other social and human consequences are also noted. It is mainly a feeling of worthlessness, a lack of self-confidence, a breakdown of family relationships and a deterioration of social relations. They find themselves forced into the armed struggle, forced into immigration and rural exodus and thus contribute to the degradation of peace in Chad. We also know that most young people who migrate to the capital, in search of greener pastures, are also subject to exploitation, abuse and many other vices.

How does your work and/or activism promote youth employment and/or sustainable peace?

My activism and my devotion started a long time ago, but it was in 2015 that the most exciting story was triggered by the setting up of the Youth Network for Development and Leadership in Chad (RJDLT). An apolitical, non-profit associative platform based on the principles of volunteering, solidarity, public interest and human dignity. Its main objective is to provide young Chadians with development opportunities that will enable them to create positive change in their communities and promote youth entrepreneurship.

Through a strong brand, through concrete actions, we work to bring together entrepreneurial and promising young people, carrying innovative projects. Our mission is to instill a new and active dynamic so that Chadian entrepreneurship is part of a global movement that promotes performance by benefiting from international best practices and exceptional experience in the field.

RJDLT favors concrete actions through the organization of startup competitions adapted to each target in partnership with renowned international organizations.

A pioneer in the entrepreneurial arena, good governance and sustainable development in Chad and a real catalyst at the national level, the RJDLT stimulates economic development with a strong positioning in the areas of entrepreneurship and leadership; job creation and the constant search for innovation everywhere in Chad.

For two years, through our constant activities, we have been able to attract more young people to this adventure. We were able to collect a database of thousands of entrepreneurs and work with the most promising to implement their projects. In two years, with minimal support, we have been able to work for 5 startups, which employ at least 3 people including 15 jobs, without any financial support received.

We impact thousands of young people’s lives through our actions and we are giving hope of a better future to the millions of Young Chadians, that they can forge their own bright futures.