Madagascar: Vers un changement de comportement et une conscience collective

This story explores how a youth leader in Madagascar promotes civic responsibility, behavioural change and community engagement to empower young people and strengthen social cohesion in Atsimo-Atsinanana region. 

MANDRESIMANA Saugue, a young leader from south-eastern Madagascar, has dedicated his life to shifting the social mindset of his region. Before his interventions, communities were marked by civic disengagement, weak leadership and mistrust of public interest. Although information existed, it was rarely applied, resulting in stagnation and resistance to collective progress. 

Through the Groupe Observateur de la Jeunesse, Saugue works to confront these issues directly. He promotes civic education, moral values and leadership among the youth. His approach focuses on developing responsible and thoughtful young citizens who understand that change begins with individual accountability. By creating practical learning spaces where young people explore solutions to community problems, his work cultivates a new generation of leaders. 

The change emerged through three strategic pillars: proximity civic education, mentoring influential youth who then influence their peers, and community-led action where every training leads to practical activities such as community clean-ups, mediation and awareness sessions. Partnerships with local authorities, traditional leaders and education structures lend credibility and reinforce these actions. 

This collaborative ecosystem enables young people to reconnect with civic values and understand their role in shaping the country’s development. Youth now participate in local decision-making spaces, applying civic laws that previously remained theoretical. Communities experience reduced social tension and renewed engagement in public interest projects. 

Sustainability relies on professional orientation centres, a rotating leadership academy, integration of initiatives into communal budgets and partnerships with private sector actors committed to recruiting youth trained in ethics and civic responsibility.

Quotes 
Phania, Avant, je pensais que le changement devait venir des autres ou du gouvernement. Aujourd’hui, j’ai compris que le changement commence par moi.

Bertrand, Aujourd’hui, grâce à ce changement, j’ai compris que même un petit geste a de la valeur.