Kenneth Prudencio is a real champion for global health, especially in Africa. Born in Benin, at 28 he is already Head of Advocacy at our ACTION partner, ASAPSU (Association de Soutien à l'Auto Promotion Sanitaire Urbaine) in Côte d'Ivoire. He is also involved in the World Bank-hosted Global Financing Facility (GFF) as the Global Youth Platform co-chair and the youth representative at the GFF Investors' Group. And in May, we hosted his visit to Canada where he met decision-makers and students.
We asked him about his vision for the future of advocacy and he was clear: “You need to listen to youth… You don't need to bring youth to the table just for them to be there, to bring communities to the table just to be in the photos. You need to really hear what they have to say and orient your strategy on what they have to say.”
Kenneth studied International Relations in his home country of Benin, then studied Law and Political Science before specializing Humanitarian Aid Management in France. But he returned to West Africa to be an advocate for the health and prosperity of his home. “Growing up in Africa, I have always noticed how hard it is for Africans to make their voices at the national and international levels,” says Kenneth. “Issues like health, education, poverty are always discussed without the main concerned and often not settled. This is why I am dedicated to be the voice of the ones without one on the health system strengthening various issues.”
Kenneth is passionate about securing equitable health funding for the most vulnerable communities and believes that youth need to be a key part of the process. He campaigns actively for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N) for all and especially for youth: “It involves considering their unique circumstances and context. It means empowering them to decide about their own future. It implies guaranteeing that every voice is heard and every need is met.”
“We need to trust youth,” says Kenneth. “Make sure that you have strengthened capacities, strengthened youth that are able to manage the funding that you say are designed to improve their health and improve the situation in their countries.”
