Our Work
Lucid Future Initiative – Africa (LFIA) is a non-profit organization with dedicated efforts and commitments toward the youth focusing on the three major themes of Climate Change and Sustainability, Environment, and Governance. LFIA seek to undertake research and evidence-based advocacies that promote youth participation while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability. LFIA believes a progressive future is dependent on good governance therefore igniting the interests and developing the capacities of young people contribute towards raising and shaping Africa’s next generation of leaders, capable of effectively and efficiently managing the affairs of the continent for sustainable and inclusive development. Our Thematic areas are:
Climate change and Sustainability
The world is shifting towards more sustainable pathways to protect the environment while ensuring g development. Pertinent issues of global warming and climate change as a result of some industrial and developmental activities have made it clear that the world must inculcate sustainability even as it leverages technology for development.
As much as these concerns affect the entire society, their effects on young people cannot be overemphasized. The future belongs to the youth today and the many consequences of climate change like loss of biodiversity, changes in weather patterns, and an increased rate in the occurrence of natural disasters would only take effect with time. Hence, the youth need to take a strong stance on sustainability to secure their futures. However, particularly in Africa, most young people are overwhelmed with basic and essential needs leaving little or no room for issues of climate change and their impact on their futures. Interestingly, the menace of climate change greatly impacts the most vulnerable Africans, affecting their food security, water resources, shelters, and homes, resulting in the displacement of many while leading others to abject poverty.
The thematic area of climate change and sustainability is focused on understanding and addressing the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable development. This includes finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the changing climate, and protect natural resources. It also involves promoting sustainable practices in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and urban planning
Environment
LFIA engage in a variety of activities, including advocacy, research, education, and on-the-ground conservation and restoration projects.
Environmental issues appear to be a prevalent challenge of the 21st century. The continuing deforestation, dwindling biodiversity and the human-caused pollution of the air, water bodies and the ground, to name but a few, put a great strain on our environment and eventually on the health and the livelihoods of humans. The LFIA dedicates itself to environmental protection in Ghana and the African continent through research, analysis and advocacy targeted especially at the next generation. We believe that the youth is essential in solving present and future environmental problems. They are the future and the ones that will be left to bear most of the consequences of the unceasing exploitation of nature. It is, therefore, with them that we seek to inspire a positive shift in behaviour, mindset and understanding before it is too late.
In the context of Ghana for example improper plastic waste management threatens marine wildlife by polluting beaches and the sea, further, as the plastic is often burnt openly or left unattended it contaminates the air and the ground posing a risk to nature and the well-being of the population. We believe that the youth plays an essential role in protecting the Ghanaian environment by reducing, reusing and recycling their plastic waste. However, a change in practice depends on a change in attitude and knowledge.
Governance
Africa needs to place premium on its youth as they constitute a great part of its wealth of human resources and represent an indication of bright socio-economic development prospects in the continent. The existence of national and regional policies (such as the Africa Youth Charter, Common African Position, Agenda 2063) on youth development and engagement in governance pre-empts clear-cut strategies and direction for policy actions that seek the well-being and development of the youth and their integration into governance processes as future leaders. Ideally, a vibrant, well-oriented and empowered youth population that demonstrate active citizenship and contribute to governance and state building should be the expected outcome of such policies.
The reality however depicts stifled, marginalized and deteriorating conditions for young people in Africa stemming from political instability, poverty, high illiteracy, unemployment and general harsh socio-economic conditions. Evidently, action towards the achievement of appears non-existent and this risks the intended bright future of the young people and the continent as a whole.
LFIA concurs with the African Common Position which states that; “the future of Africa lies with the well-being of its children and youth as socioeconomic transformation of the continent rests with investing in the young people of the continent” thus, seeks to utilize research, to provide opportunities for uplifting the youth in governance and civic responsibility.
LFIA believes the youth can be an agent of good governance when empowered. We seek to leverage on cutting-edge research to provide key knowledge in governance issues and processes for the youth. The findings/results of research works will contribute to a well-informed youth populace on governance issues, serve as a check on existing national policies and their effect on the youth while informing policy decisions of government with a focus on the youth. We seek to undertake research and evidence-based advocacies that promote youth participation while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability on this theme. The organization believes a progressive future is dependent on good governance therefore igniting the interests and developing the capacities of young people contribute towards raising and shaping Africa’s next generation of leaders, capable of effectively and efficiently managing the affairs of the continent for sustainable economic and social development.