A South Korean team of researchers will soon start a youth-focused survey in Kenya to discover the lives of Gen Z and spur future collaboration when it comes to youth policy and development.
Led by Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) professors, the project is aimed at understanding the social, economic, political, and emotional lives of Kenyan youth.
The findings from the study will be used to guide policy actions and open up additional channels for collaboration between Kenya and Korea in addressing youth matters.
Conducting the research is Jeon Only, Director of the Africa Human Resource Development Centre, and Bae Yuh Jin, Director of the Centre for African Culture and History, both under the Institute of African Studies at HUFS.
Speaking during a meeting with officials from Kenya’s State Department for Youth Affairs, the scholars noted that youth-related challenges are not unique to Kenya; rather, it’s a growing global youth population, especially in Africa
“It’s not just a Kenyan issue. The youth question is global,” one of the professors said, emphasising that any solution must be grounded in the real experiences of young people.The visit was hosted by top officials, including Kennedy Kimuyu, Director of Administration, and Emily Maina, Director of Youth Social Development, who welcomed the survey and promised support from the government.
Hankuk University is among four South Korean universities now applying for government support to conduct research on youth development in the African continent.
Kenya is among the countries targeted for the experimental stage due to its young population and recent surge in youth activism, protests that made headlines around the world.
The researchers will engage directly with Gen Z in various parts of the country to understand what they need, dream of, and complain about
The result of the survey will not only guide future cooperation between Kenya and Korea but also development partners’ interaction with African youth in general.
