KDI started KDS in 2020 to increase civic learning experiences that have nearly vanished in conventional schools in Nigeria, strengthening young people’s capacity on democratic ideals to break the cycle of unresponsive civic life amidst them. After the learning, KDS offers participants first-hand practicum opportunities at relevant institutions before joining the Alumni Network for further engagement and democratic research. All of these forms the framework of KDS.

KDS BEYOND THE SCHOOL WALLS

KDS engages young people between the ages of 10 – 17 years focusing on grooming this demographic on true democratic values and civic participation will transcend into having new crops of leaders and change-makers. This is because most of the Gen-Z are oblivious of democratic history due to the gap in transferring knowledge and democratic history between the older and new generations. KDS, in its curricula and summer camp, focuses on bridging these gaps with training and mentoring.

KDS- BUILDING NEXT-GENERATION LEADERS

KDS, in this phase ensures that the capacity of young Africans is built towards active civic life, value-based democratic leaders, and youth peacebuilders. KDS admits individuals of voting age (18) to the upper limit of youth categorization (35) into different training cohorts depending on their preferences. These cohort includes:

1. Civic Leadership
2. Youth Peace and Security and
3. Countering Authoritarian Influence

Summarily, KDS next-generation leaders offers four types of activity:

• lectures from seasoned academia, elected leaders, and lawmakers with track records, development experts, and public policy advocates. All within and outside Africa.
• Practical sessions (interactive, role play, etc), and
• Out-of-class learning (Group assignments/Internship/Working Visit).
• Democratic Research at the Alumni Network

For example, after a lecture on the Legislative Process in which the theory and processes have been explained, the participants are made to simulate class. This practical learning opportunity offers guided first-hand experience at the legislative house. The participants are taken on a working visit to the plenary and enroll for a legislative internship. After training, KDS groups its alumni to study a particular democratic challenge and develop practical solutions.

KDS has trained 225 young Nigerians on Democracy and Human Rights, Civic Leadership and Community Organizing using her learning-by-doing approach. These alumni are encouraged to continue to engage their peers and keep the cycle of informed young citizens actively in all their sphere of influence.

“My moment at KDS broaden my comprehension of Democracy and Good governance and my experience injected me to research further on strategies that will bring positive change to my homeland” – Motunrayo Adisa

Participating in #KDS2020 was a worthwhile experience for me not only as a young leader but as an aspiring global leader. This judicious investment has caused me to be a firm believer and upholder of democracy. – Tobi Olanipekun

“KDS was both an experience and exposure for me! I gathered facts and figures on democracy and governance, especially as it concerns Nigeria.” – Juliet Eze

KDI has contributed immensely to youth policy development in Nigeria; one of such landmark achievements is the Youth Policy Agenda Advocacy in Osun State. Osun Youth Agenda Project is aimed at influencing decision-makers and elected officials (the executive, and legislative arm of government) to include the youth priority in the state appropriation law. This was done as a means of getting the youth engaged and involved, thereby shunning violence.

KDI aggregated young people’s developmental needs in Osun state and advocated its inclusion in the budget of relevant MDAs. We saw the need for a clear and strategic Youth Development framework, so KDI started legislative advocacy for the establishment of a Youth Development Commission through the act of parliament.

With KDI’s persistent advocacy and follow-up, the Bill was passed and signed into law by the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, in 2021. Osun Youth Agenda Campaign is with the support of the National Democratic Institute.