The youth population form major part of every society, contributing to the development and growth. While this remains true, it is al true that if not properly empowered with the right perspective, platform and opportunities, they may cause a major drawback to their communities. There is an alarming rate of unemployed young people in Nigeria. Most of the crimes and criminality are sadly perpetrated by who young people who are not gainfully employed or armed with the wrong mindset about life. We cannot discuss peace without really talking the impact of young people in peacebuilding processes.

Youth empowerment is pivotal to community development. However, such empowerment schemes need to be properly monitored, structured and wholistic for it to produce result in terms of improving the lives and source of livelihoods of young people.

Over the years, TEKAN Peace Desk through its Interfaith Skills acquisition program has empowered vulnerable and indigent women and young people across religious and tribal divides. On this edition of building bridges, we shall be taking a look at how this empowerment is contributing to peacebuilding processes for effective community development.

What is the idea of youth empowerment? What is the contribution of youth empowerment to peacebuilding and community development processes? What are the challenges and successes encountered while empowering young people? These and many more will form the basis of our discussion with Mr. Julius Abimiku, Mrs. Victoria Hagalstine and one of Young beneficiary of its vocational empowerment program.