A four-session training was held in Garowe, Somalia, with over 25 selected champions participating in Phase 2 of the Leadership Challenge of the One Million Leaders Fellowship Program. The sessions were facilitated by OML-MENA Fellow and Rotary Peace Fellow Mr. Sharmarke and featured a special guest speaker, climate activist Mr. Abdikhay M. Hussein. The training introduced participants to the OML initiative, a global network dedicated to empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders. Guided by the vision of creating “One World in Harmony,” the program aims to build a community of leaders capable of driving sustainable change worldwide.

The in-person training was supported by TOC for Education, Inc. (TOCfE), a not-for-profit foundation (US 501c3) established in 1995. TOCfE applies a set of thinking processes and common-sense methodologies designed to logically identify and overcome key limitations that hinder communities from achieving a more sustainable world.

 The training primarily focused on the impact of climate change on Somali pastoralists (nomads). Participants explored how droughts and famine have severely affected pastoralist communities by causing a lack of pasture and water, leading to the death of livestock and widespread displacement. These discussions highlighted the critical need for pastoralists to adapt to climate change in order to build resilience and ensure their resilience in the face of environmental shocks.

Participants engaged in problem analysis using methodologies such as the Problem Tree Analysis and Cloud Method to better understand the challenges faced by pastoralist communities. These tools helped clarify the causes and effects of droughts and enabled participants to identify obstacles and potential solutions for achieving a sustainable future for these communities.

Mr. Abdikhay Hussein, a climate activist, shared his practical experience on the vulnerability of Somali pastoralists to drought shocks in the face of climate crissi. He explained the traditional pastoralist lifestyle, where communities move from place to place with their livestock in search of pasture and water. This nomadic way of life, practiced by 60 percent of Somalia’s population, makes them particularly vulnerable to the increasing frequency and severity of droughts driven by climate change. The economic losses resulting from the death of livestock often lead to displacement as pastoralists seek new opportunities to sustain their families.

In recent years, Somalia has faced increasingly severe droughts, exacerbated by natural resource degradation and climate change. Rural communities, whose livelihoods are closely tied to weather patterns, are particularly affected. Since 2011, Somalia has experienced only one proper rainy season, leading to a prolonged crisis that has left millions facing food insecurity.

In the final part of the training, participants discussed strategies to promote solutions that support transforming the lives of pastoralists, making them more sustainable and resilient to droughts. Using problem-solving tools, particularly the Theory of Constraints (TOC) for Education, participants worked on developing sustainable solutions that combine traditional livestock rearing with modern farming practices. The goal is to build community resilience against climate shocks while preserving the cultural practices of pastoralist communities.

Finally, the training sessions provided participants with a deeper understanding of the OML initiative and the critical challenges faced by Somali pastoralists in the context of climate change. Through interactive discussions and problem-solving exercises, participants shared experience and discussed on actionable strategies to support pastoralist communities in adapting to environmental challenges and building a sustainable future.

Background

Somalia has one of the world’s largest young populations, with 75 percent of its population under 30 years old. While young people represent the majority in Somali society, continuing unrest, conflict, and socioeconomic and political exclusion have left them with psychological wounds and multiple roadblocks to adulthood.

This leadership training challenge is part of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Fellowship Program, a flagship project supported by NELIS—Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability. The Fellowship Program aimed to equip one million NexGen leaders and social innovators with the required skills to lead positive and sustainable change in their regions by 2030.

Many young people in Somalia lack the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to develop into better adults because ongoing unrest and conflict have demoralized them, leaving them with psychological wounds and numerous obstacles to adulthood.

Engaging and empowering young people is a prerequisite for the UN to deliver on its mandate in support of the Somali people. As a result, a number of global and national frameworks shape the UN’s integrated response in support of Somali youth. Youth leadership development is crucial for fostering future leaders and empowering young individuals to make a positive impact in their communities. This proposed training initiative aims to develop effective youth leadership programs by exploring strategies and best practices that can enhance youth’s leadership skills and abilities to inspire positive change in their communities.

Why join the Youth Leadership Program?

Participating in the Youth Leadership Program will equip you with leadership and critical thinking skills, enhancing your ability to influence and contribute to socio-economic development within your local community as a productive and inspired citizen. This leadership program aims to boost your potential to contribute and open up broad network opportunities, while also building your capacity to contribute and implement sustainable community programs in communities.

During the program, you will undergo 3 weeks of extensive training to prepare you for your role as a program facilitator, coach, and change maker. After training, you will have the opportunity to participate in community support initiatives.

Are you a passionate and driven young leader looking to make a difference in your community? Are you between the ages of 18 and 30, living in Somalia,  who is highly motivated to cause change in their lives and the lives of their communities?

Join the leadership program in collaboration with the OML-MENA Fellowship Program, NELIS: The Next Leaders’ Initiative for Sustainability. The MENA Fellows Leadership Challenge is proud to announce that applications are now open for the Youth Leadership Program in August–Sep 2024. This transformative initiative aims to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and creativity needed to drive social change and foster entrepreneurship leadership in their communities.

Eligibility

  • Age 18–35
  • Have an interest in personal development and leadership.
  • Traits of a problem solver
  • Having a personal vision
  • Passion to make a positive change in the community, particularly pastoralist communities
  • Have access to a basic smartphone or laptop and possess basic computer skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership and passion for community development and entrepreneurship.

How to Apply

Click this online link https://forms.gle/ybKjb83YWT8b1hRY6 and fill it with all required information regarding your interest in the participation of the program.

Deadline for Application: 30 Aug 2024

Bareedo Platform conducted a one-day workshop on Building Inclusive Democracy for Displaced People in Somalia on Monday, March 4. A total of 48 participants from different regions of State of Puntland in Somalia, including some from Las’anod City (Khaatumo Administration), representing local nonprofit organizations, and some from government institutions, participated in the workshop.

Mr. Sharmarke Yusuf and Mr. Abdikhayr Hussein, two senior members of Bareedo Platform Somalia, facilitated the workshop.


“This is a platform developed by People Powered, the Global Hub for Participatory Democracy, and a consortium of local and national organizations, which the Bareedo Platform includes. There are about six courses on the platform, and all are available. But we are going to focus on and study the course Building Inclusive Democracy for Displaced People.” Said Mr. Sharmake Yusuf

The participants introduced the online platform which they only needed to sign up by clicking the green button, put their basic information in the box, and start the learning journey.


The participants were introduced to and engaged in online self-paced training courses collected on a knowledge platform developed by People Powered and a consortium of local and national organizations where all relevant stakeholders and individuals can learn more about how to make participatory and deliberative processes more inclusive. The participants engaged in one of the six courses on the online learning platform, which is “Building Inclusive Democracy for Displaced People.”


The Bareedo team provided the participants with guidance as they signed up and registered at Building Inclusive Democracy Online Training, following a brief informative introduction session about the online learning platform courses and how to access the platform. Through a well-designed online Displaced Course, the participants learned about displaced people worldwide, defining the specific terminologies for the familiarity of the course. The participants learned the term “displaced,” which stands for different groups of people.

Throughout the introduction of the course, there were particular examples of Somalia’s displacement of people, related policies, and national strategies, as well as participants engagement in participatory discussions regarding the strategies to include in participatory and deliberative processes.


The participants were asked to present their understanding and experience of the term displaced. Mr. Abdikhayr Hussein, who has strong experience in displacement and has worked in the sector, briefly shared the different groups that fall under the term displaced.

“There are about three displaced groups: IDP, refugees, and immigrants. The first group is the internally displaced people, who are people forced to leave their homes but who remain within their country’s borders. The second group of refugees are people who have lost the protection of their country of origin and who cannot or are unwilling to return there due to a well-founded fear of persecution. The third group are immigrants, who are people living in a country other than that of their birth.” Said Abdikhayr Hussein


As part of the course contents, they also discussed the challenges and promising solutions, including the case studies regarding the inclusion of displaced people in decision-making and the possible outcomes of the total inclusion of displaced people. The participants discussed the deliberative process of total inclusion of displaced people in decision-making and the barriers and roadblocks that limit the participation of displaced people in the decision-making process and social services. 


Furthermore, the participants reflected on the possible solutions that exist in the country. Comparing those possible solutions presented by the course, the participants highlighted that there is a need for local reintegration through providing proper shelter and resettlement, as the displaced communities in Somalia are continuously affected by droughts, flooding, and also recent conflicts in the Sool region. They shared and received an informative process for implementing successful interventions when addressing building inclusive democracy for displaced people.


Participants were most interested in key strategies to promote the inclusion of displaced people, challenges and solutions in democratic strategies, and ensuring active participation, where the participants have had time to practice and discuss the implementation of an impactful inclusive democracy for displaced people and explore practical insights that empower them to undertake a lasting impact. 


The participants discussed the most common challenges that face displaced people in Somalia and highlighted some points, including the fact that displaced people in Puntland have a shortage of food, healthy access, education, and shelter. The participants emphasized that the most vulnerable displaced people are living in congested and informal settlements on the outskirts of the cities.


There have been some important comments regarding the platform and the course raised by the participants, which Bareedo Platform will share with People Powered.


After completing the online course, the participants were able to download the completion certificate for the courses, indicating their completion of the displaced course on the platform.

As a youth organization, Bareedo Platform marks International Youth Day each year on the 12th of August and celebrates the contribution that young people make in social and public matters in Somalia. In this year and third year in row, Bareedo is going to commemorate the #IYD2022 virtually and present to you a handful youth members who contributed to the society.

This is a great time to celebrate and appreciate some youth members who actively contributed to matters that important for the community and also become a role model for other peers to do same. In this moment, Bareedo is going to empower young people to participate in public life so that they are prepared and equipped to contribute to society’s development.

It’s time to celebrate International Youth Day!

For information on the theme of International Youth Day 2022 keep an eye on the Bareedo’s website and social media platforms for updates. You can also send more to our email info@bareedo.org

Sharmarke Yusuf is an International Rotary peace fellow, for his extensive experience in Peace and development and had 10-week session of field study in Makerere University at Rotary Peace Center for gaining knowledge through examine new approaches of peace building and conflict transformation, following by application of leadership skills.

The Peace fellow returned to Somalia in his community for implementation of social change through guidance and mentorship professionals in the field.

Yusuf’s social change initiatives will engage youth in his communities to empower them and transform as a positive force of transformation in their communities through communication and thinking skills (TOCfE) positive peace education, employability skills and community volunteer activities. Yusuf is using a theory of constrain to change negative behavior, the TOC theory is originated by Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt (1947-2011)” he was an author and a business management guru.  The theory of constrain is a set of thinking processes along with common sense methodologies used to logically identify and overcome key limitations in creating favorable change and that allows for youth to think critically and make positive, responsible decisions.

The initiates will be in class training, practical sessions followed by community volunteer activities where the young people integrate with their communities to carryout public and common good activities.

If you want to join the training sessions, send an email to Yusuf: sharmake@bareedo.org / sharmuu55@gmail.com