An investigation into youth civic engagement in Zambia: a mechanism towards peaceful resolution of conflict in the community: a study of selected areas in Lusaka district.

This study sought to investigate youth civic engagement in Zambia as a mechanism towards
peaceful resolution of conflict in the community in selected areas of Lusaka district. The
objectives of the study were to determine the effectiveness of youth civic engagement as a
mechanism towards peaceful resolution of conflicts in the community, to establish factors that
can influence effective youth civic engagement in Zambian communities and to determine
methods that can enhance youths‟ effective involvement in peaceful resolution of conflicts in the
community. The study sample comprised of 50 NIPA students, 2 NIPA lecturers, 1 officer from
operation Young Vote (OYV) and 12 youths from Kalingalinga compound.
This study was a descriptive survey design which sought to gather information regarding the
respondents‟ opinions and experiences of respondents on the topic of study. Combinations of
qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data through guided interviews, focus
group discussions and structured questionnaires. The study established that youth civic
engagement is an effective mechanism for conflict resolution in the community. Further findings
revealed that education, opportunities for employment both in formal and informal sectors as
well as freedom of expression are key factors in youth civic engagement as they provide a
mechanism through which the youth can contribute effectively to their communities.
Based on these findings the study concludes that youth civic engagement is key in the
development process because the majority of Zambians are youths. Therefore, if the youth are
fully engaged through entrepreneurship and formal employment activities, they can contribute
significantly to the economic growth and development of the country. Additionally, the youth
are full of enthusiasm and innovation as well as energy, all of which can benefit the economy if
the youth are engaged positively. In view of the above findings and conclusions, the study makes
the following recommendations: that all agents of socialisation, for example, schools, colleges,
universities and churches must promote youth civic engagement. The government must work
with all the youth regardless of their political affiliations. The youth must join political parties,
community organisations and school unions as platforms to express their grievances rather than
resorting to violence.