AYC Youth Capacity Building Workshop in Malawi

With support from IOE – International Organisation of Employers, the AYC will convene 10 representatives from its national consortium in West, East, Central and Southern Africa for a 2-day capacity building workshop on project development and resource mobilisation.

Following the successful hosting of IOE side event on ‘’The Future of Work and Jobs in Africa’’ at 3^rd Pan-African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development held in Banjul in March 2019, the IOE has commit its partnership with AYC to address employment and skills concerns of African youth.

This workshop is organised within the framework of this existing partnership and aimed to achieve the following objectives and outcomes:

Objective:

• Build the capacity of selected national consortium to develop and implement projects within their respective countries successfully.
• To enhance the understanding of the consortiums (roles and expectations) among members in line with the AYC Strategic Plan 2018-2020)
• Encourage national consortium to align their in-country projects, programs and activities to the priority areas of AYC strategic plan,
• Inspire ownership and enhance the understanding of national consortium members of  AYC strategic plan,
• Strengthen the resource mobilisation capacity of national consortium to source the needed financing for their in-country projects and activities,
• Provide peer learning platform allowing national consortium members to share knowledge and experiences relating to implementation of AYC strategy at in-country level,
• Meet IOE general employers’ and discuss how to ensure sustainability of in-country projects and activities of national consortium through partnerships at national, regional and continental levels,
• Enhance the advocacy, communication and networking skills of selected national consortium to advocate, communicate and work together on developmental challenges facing their countries and the continent.

Outcomes:

• Participants are equipped with tools needed to develop and manage their in-country projects and activities effectively,
• Increased level of knowledge and awareness of the AYC, its vision and the strategic plan 2018 – 2020 among the national consortium members,
• Increased capabilities of the members to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate their in-country projects and activities independently,
• In-country projects/activities of participating national consortium are aligned to the priority areas of AYC strategic plan 2018-2020,
• Participants acquired hands-on experience skills on project development and management, and have the ability to initiate and mobilise resources for their in-country projects/activities,
• Build synergies with IOE general employers’ and possible areas of collaboration explored,
• Advocacy, communication and network skills of participants are enhanced.

The workshop will take place at Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe, Malawi in parallel with 43rd Annual Conference of IOE members from East, Southern and Central Africa. Our participants will take part in IOE conference on the 3-4 June and join the AYC workshop on 4-5 June.

Download Concept Note

Download Programme Guide

Download Speech of AYC Executive Chairperson, Ms. Natalie Sonia Mukundane

Download Speech of Mr. Dingiswayo Jere, CEO National Youth Council of Malawi

Download the Full report from Malawi

Kampala Press Conference on AYC Strategic Plan 2018-2020 and 2019 Work Plan of AYC Uganda National Consortium

Ms. Natalie Sonia Mukundane, Executive Chairperson of the AYC is in Kampala today, May 14th, 2019 to brief the press on the priority areas of AYC Strategic Plan 2018-2020 and 2019 Work Plan of AYC Uganda National Consortium to galvanize support and partnership for the operation of the consortium in Uganda.

In addition, madam chairperson will have bilateral meetings with Government officials, CSOs, development partners and youth leaders to present AYC Uganda National Consortium and discuss possible areas of collaboration. This is part of our many efforts to intensify the presence of AYC in Uganda.

Download copy of her Speech.

Download media advisory.

Download copy of her Mission itinerary.

AYC at Fifth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2019

AYC participated in the Fifth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development held at Palais des Congrès de la Palmeraie de Marrakech, King of Morocco from 16-18 April 2019, under theme: ‘’Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’’

The Fifth ARFSD is hosted under the high patronage of His Majesty the King, Mohammed VI and convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with regional organizations and the United Nations System.

It seeks to advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and the goals set out in Africa’s Agenda 2063. The Forum does so by providing a multi-stakeholder platform for follow-up and review of implementation progress and challenges, strengthening learning and advocating effective policy measures and actions to achieve the goals of the two agendas. In so doing the Regional forum makes important contributions to strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement and synergies, and thus promoting concerted efforts to implement and achieve the development goals of the two mutually reinforcing agendas. Four sessions of the Forum have been held since 2015.

The African Youth Commission took part in both the Preparatory and Capacity-Development Workshop for Major Groups and Other Stakeholders in the Africa Region, and the main session of Africa Regional Forum. Represented by Mr. Kawsu Sillah, Executive Secretary, AYC was part of MGoS rapporteuring team and round table panel discussion on promoting peer learning and the exchange of experiences and lessons learned in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, with emphasis on selected Sustainable Development Goals for 2019: “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”.

In his presentation, AYC Executive Secretary started by saying as far as implementation of SDG 4 is concerned, at Member State level, there is Political will to provide quality and relevant education for all. He cited the recent developments in some countries as living testimonies.

He mentioned that in The Gambia, in addition to its free primary education for all, the Government recently launched a project called “Second Chance” an initiative providing education opportunities for out-of-school children and youth to attain basic education and livelihood skills; University tuition free for all undergraduates in Liberia; Free primary and senior secondary school education in many countries in Africa including Ghana, Sierra Leone, Rwanda etc.

Mr Sillah said lessons learned throughout Africa is that young people are demanding for better education services and skills development for their peers, better wage for teachers, and demand accountability from their leaders.

With regards to emerging challenges, Mr. Sillah said even though young people welcomed these initiatives as important steps for achieving SDG4, and more so to empower youth to become agents and champions for change, they challenged the Governments to ensure that they do not only provide free education but equally ensure the service providers offer quality and relevant education and skills training that correspond to current and future labour market needs.

Sharing his perspective on SDG 16, Mr Sillah said there are a number of measures in place to engage the youth in promoting peace and security through preventing them from violence, as well as encourage peer-peer foster dialogue to enhance youth participation at the local, national, sub-regional and continental levels for peaceful and secure communities.

His views on emerging challenges were that even though those measures are in place, on the opposite, young people are concerned about the volumes of violent conflict that our continent is currently witnessing, state’s inability to create or sustain economic opportunities for youth, corruption and mismanagement of public and state resources.

He said in order to address these man made challenges of our time, it is important to inspire and support youth to become the leaders of Africa, mentor them to work together with the older generation to create a sustainable future where a culture of integrity, good governance and zero tolerance to corruption will be promoted in all sectors of society.

Citing the lessons learned, Mr. Sillah said both Agenda 2030 and 2063 will be hard to archive if youth unemployment is not swiftly addressed, economic opportunities for youth not improved, and the creativity, energy and innovation of Africa’s youth are not tapped into for the continent’s political, social, cultural and economic transformation. He noted that from Transitional Justice, to Peace keeping, and to fight against corruption young people are contributing to the implementation of SDG 16.

The Fifth (2019) session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 5) held under the theme “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.” It carried out in-depth review of SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and the corresponding goals of Agenda 2063. The forum also undertake an in-depth review of SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals) to address challenges and strengthen partnerships to develop capacity, harness science and technologies and mobilize and scale up finance to implement the goals.

The outcomes of ARFSD 5 will (i) feed into the 2019 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of ECOSOC, which will be held in July 2019 focusing on the same theme and selected SDGs; and (ii) be used for policy advocacy, formulation and implementation at regional and national levels. Moreover, 2019 is of special significance given that for first time the HLPF under the auspices of the UN General Assembly (SDG or Leaders’ Summit) will be held in September 2019. The ARFSD therefore offers opportunity for Africa to articulate its inputs to the Leaders’ summit as well. Such inputs will include Africa’s specific challenges in the implementation of the SDGs, gaps and levers of change to accelerate implementation.

Download the copy of MGoS Report & Proceeding.

Download the copy of ARFS2019 outcome document.

More about ARFSD, please visit:
https://www.uneca.org/arfsd2019

AYC at 2019 UN ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York

AYC is ably represented by Mr. Dennis Sangale, Commissioner for Peace and Security, Mr. Kawsu Sillah, Executive Secretary, Mr. Cedric Dzelu, Director of Admin and Finance and Ms. Nuralain Abukar, Director of Resource Mobilisation and Partnership at the just concluded 8th Youth Forum of UN ECOSOC on “Empowered, Included and Equal” held on 8-9 April 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Following the successful 3rd Pan African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development, jointly organised by The Gambia National Youth Council and the AYC Secretariat in Banjul, The Gambia from 23-27 March 2019, the delegation were accompanied by Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports of The Gambia, Mr. Hadrammeh Sidibeh, H.E. Lang Yabou,  Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations, Ms. Ndey Mary Njie, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Dembo Kambi, Chairman of The Gambia National Youth Council, Mr. Lamin Darboe, Executive Director of The Gambia National Youth Council and Ms. Fatou Jeng, Youth Representative to represent the Gambia’s contribution towards the implementation of UN SDGs and outcome of the 3rd Pan African Youth Conference at the official opening of the 8th Youth Forum of UN Economic and Social Council – the largest gathering of young and world leaders in the United Nations. 

During the two days Forum, the delegation took part in plenary, thematic and regionally-based discussions on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Youth Empowerment co-organised by UNFPA, UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as Nationals Training Academy of Arab Republic of Egypt, Institutional Youth Engagement in Achieving the SDGs, co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Japan and Germany to the United Nations, Key regional concerns and priorities for youth regarding the SDGs implementation, co-organised by UNDP, UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), UNMGCY and other partners, Taking Action – Youth as Champions for Peace and Security, co-organised by UN-HABITAT and UNODC and How can youth in Africa be empowered to best leverage opportunities for quality jobs in agriculture, co-organised by UNIDOA and FAO.

Furthermore, the representatives participated in “Interactive Roundtable on Investing in Youth Development: Financing and other Means of Implementation”, Relevant and inclusive education for young people, organised by the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Interactive Dialogue on “Youth, Peace and Security: Challenges and Prospects”, Have Your Say – Empowering Youth to Support SDG16 organised by UNODC, Access to youth to social rights- the role of Youth NGOs and international institutions, organised by the Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations, Youth at the Centre of National and local migration policy making, co-organised by IOM and UNMGCY, Lisboa+20 – Youth Consultation on effective youth participation mechanisms, organised by the Permanent Mission of Portugal, The role of Private Sector for Youth Empowerment and Employment in Morocco and across Africa, co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Morocco, Senegal, Ghana  and Nigeria to the United Nations and Investing in Youth-led organisations to advance the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda, co-organised by UNAOC, UNFPA and Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations.

Finally, the team participated in Youth and Industry 4.0 – Implications of the Fourth Industrial revolution on the Future of Work and Education, organised by UNIDO, the Interactive Roundtable on Looking to the Future: A dialogue on the High-level Political Forum (SDG) Summit in September 201o before attending the official closing ceremony where the Director General of ILO, Mr. Guy Ryder, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations addressed the delegates before H.E. Ms. Inga Rhonda King,  President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared the 2019 UN ECOSOC Youth Forum concluded.

Bilateral Meetings

Meeting with AU Youth Envoy

The delegation on the sideline of the Forum, received Ms. Aya Chebbi, African Union’s Youth Envoy at the Gambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations to discuss on how the Mission, Ministry of Youth and Sports of The Gambia, The Gambia National Youth Council and the African Youth Commission can support her efforts in mobilising and organising youth in action for African Unity and Development. Both the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, and Gambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN gave their blessings and assured the full support of Gambia Government to the empowerment and development of the African Youth for the realisation of the Africa 2063 aspirations of #TheAfricaWeWant.

Meeting with UNODC

This meeting is attended by Deputy Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations Mr. Lamin Faati, Official from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), and representatives of National Youth Council and the African Youth Commission.

Mr. Lamin Darboe, Executive Director of National Youth Council chaired the meeting whilst Mr. Faati delivered the welcome remark. Mr. Darboe, informed the meeting that Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and The Gambia’s Ambassador to the UN would have loved to be part of the meeting but had to leave back home to attain to other official engagement but they blessed the meeting and sent their regards.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. Kawsu Sillah, Executive Secretary of African Youth Commission said this partnership started in Banjul where the UNODC successfully hosted a side event at the recently concluded 3rd Pan African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development, held in The Gambia in March 2019. He informed the gathering that this is a follow-up to that to discuss way forward. He then passed the floor to Mr. Gilberto Antonio Duarte Santos the team leader from UNODC to deliver his presentation. Mr. Gilberto started by thanking the Gambian Mission, representatives of NYC and AYC for the granting them the audience and the partnership. He introduced the UNODC and its Education for Justice Project. He said the initiative seeks to empower young people to make changes in the rule of law and justice processes in their respective countries. ‘’This meeting is about to talk more on how we can together empower youth to become leaders in their area, and to work with Government to build a better society for all particularly the young people’’, Mr. Gilberto said. The next speaker was Ms. Wambui Kahara, Youth Advisor at UNODC who started by appreciating the partnership with NYC and AYC on the joint side event held in Banjul in March. Ms. Kahara expressed the interest of UNODC to work with NYC and AYC again in co-organising joint activities in Ethiopia and New York on SDG 16 before and during the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July this year.

Mr. Lamin Darboe, on behalf of National Youth Council and African Commission thanked UNODC for the support. He assured the commitment of both organisations to this partnership. ‘’From our current transitional justice processes, to our active role in the implementation of UNSC 2250, to the formation of Children’s Network on Transitional Justice and Children National Assembly of The Gambia, our country has a lot to share, and we are more than happy to work with you in creating the changes that will come from the young people’’, Mr. Darboe said. The meeting agreed to work on the concept note for side events in collaboration with AYC, NYC, and AU Youth Envoy’s Office.

Meeting with UN Youth Envoy

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and delegation also paid a courtesy visit on the UN Youth Envoy at her office. The meeting chaired the ambassador focused on possible bilateral cooperation between the Ministry of youth and sports and the office of the youth envoy. She was reminded of her visit to Gambia in 2018 and Graduation ceremony of the GSI that she attended during her visit. She was also briefed on the progress made in terms of youth involvement in the reform agenda of the Gambia especially the within the transitional justice processes.

On her part the Un Youth Envoy, thank the Minister and his delegation for the visit and express her appreciation for all the work done government of the Gambia in youth mainstreaming. She noted that Gambia National Youth Council is one of the functioning and vibrant youth councils she knew of globally. On the possibility of support, she commits to facilitate linkages between Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other donor foundations such as the Qatar foundation for possible support to Gambia.

UNODC at 3rd Pan-African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development

Having their say on SDG16, youth tell E4J how to continue empowering them

In the 3^rd Pan-African Youth Conference held in Banjul in late March, under the theme “The future is now; youth are not too young to lead,” E4J organized a “Living Library” inviting young African leaders from Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ghana as “living books,” sharing their experiences in their respective countries as agents of changes, with a special focus on SDG16.

Priscilla Wepia Ametame, a young Ghanean fourth-year law student and co-founder of the Adehye Learning Initiative, reflected on the message she had wanted to pass through her living book, ‘T.M.I. (Too Much Information)’: “I suggested that education be made more practical, to ensure that the culture of lawfulness is passed through the educational system at all stages. I also highlighted the need to push for its promotion in informal settings like our homes and our communities, and to use social media as a tool and a means to start conversations about these social issues, starting movements calling for lawfulness and accountability.”

Other topical living books presented at this popular E4J event included those of Kudzai Mukaratirwa, the young director of OMUN Zimbabwe, Edward Reuben Githaiga, co-founder of Youth Voices Kenya, and Wambui Kahara, UNODC’s own Regional Youth Advisor for Eastern Africa. Together, they advocated for encouraging youth engagement in Africa and make a difference, inter alia, by strengthening good governance and the rule of law in their countries – a call increasingly made by young people across all continents. 

Web link: https://www.unodc.org/dohadeclaration/en/news/2019/04/having-their-say-on-sdg16–youth-tell-e4j-how-to-continue-empowering-them.html

ICYF Participates at 3rd PAN AFRICAN YOUTH CONFERENCE

Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) is attending the 3rd Pan African Youth Conference as a partner to the whole event, which is taking place in Banjul, the Gambia.

The opening ceremony was held on 24 March and the statement on behalf of the His Excellency Mr. Taha Ayhan, ICYF President, was delivered by Mr Rasul Omarov, the Director General of ICYF, who thanked the Gambian Authority and the Ministry of Youth & Sports of The Gambia, and extended his warmest regards to the youth of Africa.

The statement further recognized the role of youth leadership for development and progress of African OIC Member States. It was mentioned that ICYF attached great importance of African youth and was ready to benefit from their experience towards developing timely and appropriate programs to benefit the African youth, one of the main priorities of ICYF.

ICYF vowed to return soon to Banjul for holding African Young Solidarity Forum, in cooperation with ISESCO, and the 2nd Young Leaders Summit, as the youth official event of the 14th OIC Summit to be held in the same venue in November 2019.

Before concluding, the ICYF announced the holding of a Diplomatic Simulation on 24-25 March for the benefit of the African youth particularly the OIC Member States in Africa on matters related with irregular migration, the theme of the training.

In conclusion, Mr Rasul stated that ICYF was open for joint program for the development of African Youth.

It should mentioned that the meeting is being attended by high Delegates from Gambian national youth council, African youth commission, United Nations, African Union commission, minister of youth and sports of Gambia, minister of foreign affairs Gambia and many other local and International Institutions.

Banjul, 24 March 2019

Web link:
http://www.icyf-dc.org/icyf-participates-at-3rd-pan-african-youth-conference/

IOE in The Gambia, building partnerships with Africa’s youth to address employment and skills concerns

IOE members from West and Central Africa came together in Banjul, The Gambia at the end of March to attend the 3rd Pan African Youth Conference and to hold talks on matters of common concern in the region.

Co-organised by The Gambia National Youth Council and the African Youth Commission (AYC) Secretariat, and with the theme: “The Future is Now – Youth are not too young to lead”, the Pan African Youth Conference was co-hosted by the Gambian government, the UN system in The Gambia, Kanifing Municipal Council, The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Child Fund International The Gambia.

The participation of IOE, which was enabled by the IOE-EU partnership, signalled a strong willingness by the members in the region to include Africa’s young people in the policy discourse on youth employment, as well as on skills and business development.

IOE members joined a cohort of 300 youth leaders from across the continent for discussions that took place against a backdrop of growing youth unemployment and diminishing opportunities in ‘traditional’ forms of work due to low productivity; the collapse of the commodity boom; skills gaps; global competition; and the adoption of new technologies.

Turning attention to the pressing need for measures to address skills development and the lack of jobs in the region, IOE hosted a side event on 24 March on ‘the Future of Skills and Jobs in Africa’, providing a space for young people to engage with employers’ organisations (EOs) on the key trends underpinning the future of jobs and skills and to encourage dialogue on employment and entrepreneurship policies.

The IOE constituency subsequently met to consolidate the key EO takeaways for integrating youth into policy- and decision-making processes:

• Take steps to include young people within the EO management structure; youth must be valued and mentored into leadership positions
• Continue to engage in conferences of this nature to ensure EOs are not disconnected from the reality on the ground and are aware of the professional and personal aspirations of youth. This would equip EOs to give concrete advice and to curate the agenda with the government, as well as to network and have a comparative approach to other African countries
• Make efforts to achieve more visibility for the work that EOs do that has an impact on youth employment and skills development
• Link local entrepreneurs with the correct government agencies.
• Partner with youth who are already making an impact in specific sectors and highlight their work
• Support enterprises in adopting common positions and advocate with one voice

Download the full report

Web link:
https://www.ioe-emp.org/en/news-events-documents/news/action/show/?tx_ioenews_news%5Bnews%5D=115968&type=987

UNFPA The Gambia Leads ICPD+25 Engagements at the 3rd Pan-African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development in Banjul

The 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, coupled with the 50th anniversary of UNFPA, call for galvanized efforts to take stock of the progress we have made so far and the gaps that remain in our drive to accelerate the ICPD Programme of Action. As such, UNFPA The Gambia, leveraged the 3rd Pan-African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development, co-hosted by the African Youth Commission (AYC) and the National Youth Council (NYC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports The Gambia, organised three high-level panels, capturing the voices and contributions of African youth, towards the achievement of the ICPD agenda.   

These events were preceded by an interactive chat on Twitter organised in partnership with AfriYAN The Gambia,featuring UNFPA West and Central Africa Regional Director, Mr. Mabingue Ngom, UNFPA The Gambia Representative, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, and key young people leading change in their various countries.

This highly amplified chat, brought key issues specific to various countries on the continent, but also, created an opportunity for youth to identify opportunities and ways in which they can promote the ICPD agenda and accelerate its successful achievement.

ICPD+25: Accelerating the Promise from Cairo

The first panel on the 25 March, which also served as the official opening of UNFPA The Gambia’s ICPD+25 engagements in the country, was graced by Her Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Touray, government Ministers, heads of government and diplomatic missions, youth from across the continent, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the government of The Gambia, the Vice President reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritise issues of young people on its development agenda and the need to recognise that youth can make valuable contributions to the country’s growth and development.

Following the opening ceremony, the panel on Accelerating the Promise from Cairo, took place, bringing together representatives from government, civil society organisations, UNFPA. This panel, which was aimed at marking the twenty-five years of work since the ICPD in Cairo, focused on discussing progress that has been made since ICPD in 1994 and ICPD+20 as well as a call to action to accelerate actions towards delivering transformation for individual dignity and human rights for all, leaving no-one behind in Africa as part of realizing sustainable development.

ICPD CAFÉ: The Unfinished Business

The second session was styled as a TV show focused on the unfinished business, served as a call to action for young people to take up their roles in delivering on the Pan-African sustainable development and transformation vision which is aligned to ICDP ideals. Since governance and accountability are the primary means of achieving all goals espoused in the ICPD plan of action, the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063, panelists discussed the gaps that still exist towards the realisation of the Cairo promise and highlighted where we currently stand as a continent.

Being young people with lived experiences, in advocacy around the pillars of the ICPD agenda on the continent, they shared their experiences and their recommendations going forward on how young people in Africa can better mobilize and organize to effect the change they wish to see.  

Through the session, some best examples of where youth leadership has played a pivotal and instrumental role in uplifting the ideals of good/ progressive governance and fostering a culture of citizen led accountability and delivering on human rights including sexual reproductive rights, were highlighted.

The panel was concluded with a presentation on Block Chain Technology and the role of technology in delivering on the development agenda., highlighting digital transformation opportunities and challenges in the current 4^thIndustrial Revolution.

ICPD Talks

Dubbed “Young, Bold and Winning!” the ICPD Talk session was the final engagements on the ICPD+25 at the African Youth Conference. The session featured young people who took it upon their social responsibility to challenge the status quo and embark on advocacy efforts.

These young people are, Ms. Jaha Dukureh from The Gambia, end FGM campaigner, Founder of Safe Hands for Girls and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, Mr. Gossy Ukanwoke from Nigeria, a Social Entrepreneur using technology to provide Nigerian Youth with an opportunity to get university education and finally, Ms. Bina Maseno from Kenya, a politician, social justice activist and founder of Badili Africa. These young people’s work is inspirational and epitomizes the kind of African Leadership we aspire to see leading our transformative agenda. They have saved lives, improved livelihoods, influenced changing legislation, compromised their lives in their pursuit of social justice and have gone boldly and fearlessly in the direction of their dreams.

The 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, coupled with the 50th anniversary of UNFPA, call for galvanized efforts to take stock of the progress we have made so far and the gaps that remain in our drive to accelerate the ICPD Programme of Action. As such, UNFPA The Gambia, leveraged the 3rd Pan-African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development, co-hosted by the African Youth Commission (AYC) and the National Youth Council (NYC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports The Gambia, organised three high-level panels, capturing the voices and contributions of African youth, towards the achievement of the ICPD agenda.

This report captures the proceedings and outcomes of the event held on 25 March 2019.

Download the detailed report with recommendations from over 350 young people from across the continent.

No. of pages: 15

Publication date: March 2019

Author: UNFPA The Gambia

Web links:
1. https://gambia.unfpa.org/en/news/unfpa-gambia-leads-icpd25-engagements-3rd-pan-african-youth-conference-african-unity-and development

2. https://gambia.unfpa.org/en/publications/icpd25-gambia-event-report

Tana Youth Pre-Forum at 3rd AYC Pan-Africa Youth Conference in Banjul call for Youth Leadership in Peace and Security Conversations in Africa

On 25 March, IPSS organized a Pre-Tana Forum side event at the Pan-African youth network “African Youth Congress” (AYC) in Banjul, The Gambia under the theme “The Future Is Now; Youth are Not Too Young to Lead”. The event aimed to bring forth open and frank discussions pertaining to the critical issues surrounding youth engagement in political processes and how this is tied to peace and security on the continent. The discussions with youth focused on the following four key questions/issues:

1. Youth as political representatives
2. Role of civil society (organizations)
3. Role of (social) media
4. Campaigning/election processes.

Participants were asked to discuss where they see the key challenges/potentials of these actors/fields and make recommendations for action to policy-makers all of which are highlighted below.

After a presentation on IPSS’ activities in the areas of research, training and policy dialogues with a focus on the Tana Forum and its youth engagement activities, the topic and format of the session was introduced. This was followed by a presentation by the special speaker, Ms. Agathe Telou, Gender Advisor, Focal Point Best Practices and Coordinator of the Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace and Security at the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). She spoke on the UN’s activities/instruments for youth involvement in peace and security with a focus on initiatives in West Africa and the Sahel.

Around 30 youth participants from different African countries reflected on the four key questions. They were very frank and vocal and raised many concerns, at the same time emphasizing their interest in being politically more engaged. The participants also raised critical concerns they analyzed the above-stated actors and forwarded key recommendations and comments made by youth. These outcomes shall be brought forward at the 2019 Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa convening on 4-5 May 2019.

Youth reflections at the first Pre-Tana Forum Youth Consultation in Banjul, The Gambia include:

Youth as political representatives

Challenges:

• Continual marginalization of youth;
• Politicians not respecting their commitments or honouring their promises to engage youth within their governments.

Recommendations:

• Instituting a quota system for youth engagement, quota for youth in political parties and government bodies;
• Localizing Resolution 2250 in communities and cities, moving past ratification into practice;
• Removing fees for political party membership or candidate registration;
• Removing mandatory residency requirements to be eligible for political engagement;
• Reviewing existing youth-centred policies and drafting implementation frameworks;
• Instituting penalties/consequences for governments who default on youth engagement standards;
• Providing training for youth in politics in profile management skills;
• Providing financial support to ease the burden of campaigning/promotion/outreach activities;
• Creating more robust grassroots mobilization platforms; and
• Creating possibilities for youth to receive mentorship from seasoned politicians.

The role of civil society organizations (CSOs)

Challenges:

• Fracture among CSOs, competition for financial resources and the spotlight; and
• Only seasonal mobilization during election season, lack of year-long engagement.

Recommendations:

• Creating unity and synergy among CSOs, to leverage collective power and presence;
• Diversifying activities, programs and engagements to rural communities instead of metropolises;
• Engaging in year-long efforts instead of seasonal engagements;
• Encouraging CSOs to specialize on specific topics, instead of spreading too thin to cover everything;
• Promoting advocacy on behalf of youth in holding governments accountable for failed promises;
• Teaching youth the humanitarian principles of respect, dignity, integrity…etc; and
• Offering capacity building training in communication skills, leadership skills, entrepreneurship and awareness raising campaigns.

The role of social media

Challenges:

• Increased lack of fact-checking efforts and the sensitization of information; and
• Increased control of traditional media by state actors.

Recommendations:

• Encouraging social media users to engage in better profile management, fact-checking and positive promotion of youth;
• Monitoring content on social media to promote neutrality and clarity, establishing enforcement mechanisms for those who break the rules;
• Taking into account the array of youth with limited ICT access through the use of community radio stations;
• Supporting the use of social media as an alternative tool for youth political engagement;
• Maintaining consistency in efforts to advocate and mobilize, instead of waiting for election season;
• Encouraging youth to distinguish facts from fiction to prevent distorted stories and videos from getting traction; and
• Engaging political conscious artists, musicians, athletes etc to utilize their large online presence and platform for youth-related activities.

Campaigning/electoral processes

Challenges:

• Increased lack of faith among youth in the electoral process;
• Lack of strong leadership within youth organizations;
• The heavy financial burden to fund campaigns;
• Fear mongering by governments and contending political parties to intimidate and reduce youth engagement;
• Bribing of youth to provide votes, without due attention given to their needs and requests; and
• Lack of technology/reluctance of governments to invest in technology to moderate and facilitate the electoral process.

Recommendations:

• Encouraging synergy among youth organizations to create solidarity in numbers for campaigning and fundraising;
• Engaging in better profile management among youth candidates, to appeal to a wider audience/general public;
• Instituting a quota system for youth members of political parties prior to election season;
• Supporting year-long awareness-raising programs to promote youth engagement in elections;
• Teaching children about political engagement from an early age;
• Utilizing ICT to enhance voter registration;
• Mandating that political parties clearly articulate their youth-focused policy platforms;
• Promoting youth chapters of political parties; and
• Requiring the inclusion of youth as election officers and election observers.

Web link:
https://tanaforum.org/2019/04/03/a-call-for-youth-leadership/