Is democracy possible in developing countries? In a country like Nigeria where post-election violence accompanied every major vote in recent history, many wonder if it’s possible to bring stable, sustainable governance.
According to research conducted at the Stanford Hoover Institute, the answer is yes. They explain “even seemingly entrenched regimes could well become democracies within a generation” through civic mobilization and the development of ‘liberation technology,’ or technology that empowers individuals, strengthens an emergent civil society and expands economic freedom.
PeaceOpoly: A Solution
The Youth for Technology Foundation’s (YTF) PeaceOpoly program hinges on the idea that vibrant civil society and technology are the keys to unlocking democracy. YTF has spent many years harnessing technology to make a difference people’s lives, in particular those who are marginalized. Now, through programs like PeaceOpoly, YTF believes technology has the power to bring democracy in countries like Nigeria.
PeaceOpoly uses workshops and social media to strengthen voices and capacities of youth to demand greater accountability and responsiveness from public officials. A new PeaceOpoly mobile portal is also in development to help youth throughout Africa share their thoughts on public service and accountability as they relate to democracy.
PeaceOpoly holds workshops at universities, secondary schools and vocational institutions throughout Nigeria. In early February, 56 students from the University of Ibadan Oyo State met with YTF through the PeaceOpoly program. Students were especially interested and hopeful in the program’s outcomes, looking to Nigeria’s general elections just one month out.
Youth in the session focused on generating ideas on how they, as citizens, could help bring sustainable governance in Nigeria without causing any kind of violence. This peaceful outcome was developed to progress from the last Nigerian general election in 2010, which left as many as 1,000 dead.
Ideas stemmed from personal experiences and cultural realities. For instance, many youth participants expressed frustration over having to travel so far to obtain Permanent Voter Cards, which they feared might disenfranchise some voters. The students and YTF staff brainstormed ways to use social media to help remedy the problem in innovative, peaceful ways.
Looking Ahead
YTF has met with about 3000 youth throughout the nation through PeaceOpoly workshops to date.
“We feel rather optimistic about the future of democracy in Nigeria,” said Njideka Harry, YTF founder and CEO. “Yes, there’s a long way to go. But the intelligence, optimism and resilience we saw in Nigeria’s youth leave us confident that the nation has the talents and passion needed to bring about good governance, security and peace.”
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