REPORT OF THE AFRICAN REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR “THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT DECADE ” on “THE 1st EVER YOUTH CONFERENCE ON AFRICAN UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT”, held in ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 22-25 JANUARY 2017.
Key Theme: “Promoting Youth for Appropriate Channeling of Investments in youth”
Starting point: Outcomes of the 2013 meeting regarding African Union Commission (AUC) ’s consultation with the African youth on Agenda 2063, held in Hammamet, Tunisia, which encourages the establishment of mass media programs, initiatives and strategies across all the thematic areas through youth leaders , representatives and special African Unity (AU) ambassadors; the Africa Youth Commission (AYC), as a groundbreaking initiatives , including organizing youth in action plan to promote Pan –Africa youth frameworks and activities; including youth in action for Africa unity and development, supporting advocacy actions on the ratification and implementation of the African Youth charter as a channel for harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in youth and thereby achieving an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent driven by its own people, specially the young generation as aspired to in the Agenda 2063 framework for the African we want for ourselves by the 2063.
Within this framework, and following these outcomes, the African Regional Committee for the “International Campaign for the Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030” was represented by Mr. Ngwa Wilson Forbi (African Regional Committee Coordinator), who explained to the audience the aim, Mission and Vision of the “International Campaign for the Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030”.
Mr. Ngwa’s presentation on the role of African Government in Promoting Youth Activism for Appropriate Channeling of Investment in Youth, Employment and Entrepreneurship through the “International Campaign for Youth Employment Decade” was seen as a solution to Africa Member States to youth employment in redesigning the youth employment policies. His presentation during the conference critically assessed strategic engagements for Africa Member States on how they can benefit from the “International Campaign for Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030”. After his presentation, the following Africa Member States´leaders attending the conference made the following statements:
(i) Honourable Patrick Zhuwa, Minister of Youth, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment (Zimbabwe), stated that there is need for Africa Member States to fully grab the opportunities of the “International Campaign for Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030” in drafting youth policies for employment, which encourages the inclusion, effective participation and representation of Africa youth at the political and operational levels of African Union.
(ii) Honourable Mohammed Bazam, Chairman House of Committee on Youth Yobo State House Assembly, Nigeria, stated that there is need for youth friendly space with Africa Member States to introduce and prepare the young people for political leadership and participation , and assist in shaping up their voices as equal partners in driving Africa’s development Agenda through the “International Campaign for Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030”.
(iii) Alhaji Mourarji Maaji Ajiri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Sport Social and Welfare stated that the “International Campaign for the Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030” will promote active and constructive youth engagement in African Unity and development Agenda in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on Africa Member States priorities to ensure appropriate channeling of investments in youth for their uplifting and for their sustainable and inclusive growth .
At the end of the conference, a letter of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Africa Regional Committee (YEDIA), represented by Mr. Ngwa Wilson Forbi (African Regional Committee Coordinator), and Mr. Yougbar Boubakar (President of Africa Youth Commission) to promote the “International Campaign for the Youth Employment Decade 2020-2030 in Africa”.