11 July 2024, Nairobi. – The vibrant community of Bargny, Senegal, recently welcomed an inspiring mission led by UN-Habitat and the World Health Organization (WHO). The mission, centered on urban health and public space transformation, saw active participation from local youth through the Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI) by UN-Habitat.
Day 1: Empowering Youth with Knowledge and Skills
The mission kicked off with an exhilarating workshop on urban health designed specifically for the Young Gamechangers. The workshop provided these dynamic young individuals with cutting-edge knowledge on urban health issues. The sunny weather and high spirits of the participants added to the excitement of the day.
During the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on activities outside the classroom, exploring the determinants of public health. They prioritized pressing issues and challenges within their community, showcasing their understanding and commitment to improving Bargny’s health landscape. The interactive sessions allowed a two-way exchange of knowledge, where WHO and UN-Habitat experts learned about Bargny’s unique public health concerns directly from the youth.
To capture the impact and experiences of the workshop, interviews were conducted with both participants and facilitators. During the interviews, Our young participants expressed how excited they are to be involved in that process. This showed through their dedication to co-facilitate the workshop with the experts.
Day 2: Visiting Selected Public Spaces
The second day focused on on-site visits to ten public spaces in dire need of improvement. The Young Gamechangers played a pivotal role in this exercise, capturing videos and photos, identifying pain points, and recording their commentary on the state of these spaces. This hands-on approach aimed to produce multimedia materials to support public voting for two public spaces to be renovated by the UN-Habitat team.
The voting process was designed to give more weight to the opinions of young people below 25 years old, recognizing their vital role in shaping the future. Voters were allowed to choose their first and second priority public spaces, ensuring a comprehensive and democratic selection process.
Day 3: Evaluating and Prioritizing Public Spaces
The final day of the mission was dedicated to developmental evaluation activities and the presentation of “Inhabit” – a tool for conducting public space assessments with multiple types of recorded evidence. This innovative tool facilitated a thorough evaluation of the public spaces.
The day culminated in a ceremony of public space prioritization, featuring addresses from public officials. The open-space event lasted until sunset, celebrating the community’s collective efforts and dedication to improving their environment.
A Future Transformed
The mission was packed with impactful activities, leaving a lasting impression on all involved. With the two priority public spaces for intervention – Espace de Nguène 1 and Diamalaye CFP – selected, the Young Gamechangers are now geared up for the next phase.
Looking Ahead
The design activities for the selected public spaces are set to begin in September. Stay tuned to witness the transformation of Espace de Nguène 1 and Diamalaye CFP, as these dedicated young individuals work towards creating healthier and more vibrant public spaces in Bargny.
This mission underscores the power of youth engagement and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing urban health challenges. With the energy and passion of the Young Gamechangers, the future of Bargny’s public spaces looks promising and bright.
