Dakar Youth

The Community of Experiences to Help Youth Groups Come Together

by Éric Stephenson, Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne, Ottawa, Ontario

How can I explain my affinity and the fact that I see myself doing so well in organizations that work in situations so completely socio-economically different from my own reality? The “community of experiences” is a notion that allows us to understand the basic emotions, dynamics and philosophies of the different groups that come together during the Dakar 2005 professional seminar. Other social stakeholders such as the Association culturelle d’auto-promotion économique et sociale (ACAPES) have approaches that are similar to those of a number of community organizations part of the Uniterra delegation, including the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO).

As with young francophones in Ontario, the multiplier effect, the value of the individual experience and the search for the accessible model are approaches that help reach youth in linguistic minority situations (as is the case in Ontario) or in the case of exclusion of the school system (as is the case in Senegal).

The multiplier effect is the highlight of the experience of one person who, by their actions and gestures towards others, becomes an agent of positive change who has the power to change the path of another person’s life. When we value the experience of an individual, we give them confidence in themselves and we ensure the rise of a community by creating leaders who can use their own experiences to generate change. This model proves itself to be accessible since it allows each person to find themselves thorough common characteristics such as social and cultural experiences. It is direct contact that makes this possible.

Fortunately, it is possible to count on individuals to ensure positive social change. We must raise awareness among youth of their surroundings by intervening at their own level and making it easier for them to access those who can help them take their future into their own hands. Moreover, the community of experiences is the means by which intercontinental ties can be forged to break the sense of isolation that can be felt in marginal situations.