The Kenyan government has announced an upcoming collaboration with South Korean researchers. A specialized team from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) is expected to be dispatched to Kenya to conduct a comprehensive survey focused squarely on the nation's youth. This initiative underscores a growing recognition of the need for data-driven interventions, especially as Kenya's young demographic, particularly Gen Z, remains at the forefront of demanding greater accountability and improved service delivery from President William Ruto's administration through spirited protests.
The State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy confirmed the impending survey in a statement released on Monday, July 14. According to the department, the primary objective of this joint endeavor is to enable both the Kenyan and South Korean governments to formulate more effective interventions tailored to address the multifaceted challenges confronting young Kenyans. The scope of the survey is remarkably broad, designed to revolve around the social, psychological, economic, and political aspects of youths across the country, aiming for a holistic understanding of their lived realities.
The research will be spearheaded by two distinguished academics from Hankuk University: Prof. Jeon Only, Director of the Africa Human Resource Development Centre-Institute of African Studies, and Prof. Bae Yuh Jin, Director of the Centre for African Culture and History, Institute of African Studies. Their expertise is expected to bring a fresh perspective to understanding the dynamics of youth development in Kenya.
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The Professors noted that the challenges associated with the youth demographic are not unique to Kenya but represent a global phenomenon. "The youth demographic is a challenge not only in Kenya but across the world, and the need to understand them is critical to inform appropriate policy interventions for their needs," part of the official statement read. This global acknowledgment underscores the shared urgency in comprehending and supporting younger generations. It was also revealed that Hankuk University is among four Korean universities that have applied for research grants from the Korean government specifically to research "Youth Development" questions across Africa, signaling a broader strategic interest in the continent's youthful demographic.
This announcement comes at a particularly poignant time for Kenya. The nation has recently witnessed its youth, especially Gen Z, actively leveraging public protests to pressure the government on issues ranging from economic hardships to governance. The insights gleaned from this high-level survey by international experts could therefore prove invaluable, providing a deeper understanding of the underlying factors fueling youth discontent and shaping future policy dialogues aimed at fostering sustainable youth development and engagement.
