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/

AYC Becomes Founding Member of Pan African Youth Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Tourism

The Capacity Building Workshop on Stakeholders Engagement on African Trade Policies and ECOWAS Regional Trade Policy Dialogue Forumended on a high note with the formation of the Pan African African Youth Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Tourism (PAYCCITT). 

One of the key emerging issues during the 4 day workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria was the need to have youth voices represented in trade policy formulation and implementation processes. To fill this gap, youth representatives came together during a breakfast meeting to forge a way forward and as a result PAYCCITT was formed.

Through the PAYCCITT , African youth will have a voice in trade and tourism matters at Continental level. Working closely with the African Union, GIZ and Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry , PAYCCITT will enhance the process of mapping and tracking youth in formal and informal businesses across Africa as well as do capacity building and also sensitize youth on AfCFTA conversations. 

AYC Director of Communications and Advocacy who represented the organisation at the workshop lauded the move to form PAYCITT terming it a move in the right direction.

“It is important that youth voices are represented at all levels of trade policy formulation and implementation;one way to do that is through organised movements. AYC will lobby its members so they are fully engaged in PAYCITT processes in their countries so that the movement is trully representative of African youth, ” she said .

Speaking during the inauguration of the movement initiator and convener of PAYCCITT, Dr Peter Ayim of the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce expressed hope that the movement would be an ideal model for youth in Africa to participate in trade formation and implementation processes. “We are thankful to AU, GIZ and PACCI for offering to play the big brother role and guide us as we chart our way forward,” he said.

The Capacity Building Workshop on Stakeholders Engagement on African Trade Policies and ECOWAS Regional Trade Policy Dialogue Forum took place in Abuja, Nigeria from 24^thto 27^thApril 2019.The workshop, organised by the African Union, GIZ and ECOWAS brought together participants from Govts, Private Sector and CSOs to strategise on inclusive engagement of multi stakeholders for trade policy making and implementation processes. 

AYC at the IOE-Business Africa Entreprise Forum, 18-19 February 2019

Organised by the International Organisation of Employers and Business Africa, The forum was hosted in Algiers, Algeria in collaboration with the Government of Algeria and the General Confederation of Enterprises of Algeria under the theme “Inspiring, Nurturing and Supporting Entreprenuers”

AYC as a continental youth voice in the meeting, was represented by Natalie Mukundane, Ag. Executive chairperson and Keith Andere, Director of Programmes. During the meeting, AYC through the Ag. Executive Chairperson presented its work on “Employment and Entrepreneurship pillar” the continent on the panel session “Partnerships and programmes to promote women and youth employment in Africa”.

AYC at the 33rd GIMAC meeting 3-4 February 2019

Gender is my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) meeting is convened by GIMAC secretariat. Comprising about 55 national and international organisations, the GIMAC aims to create a space for civil society to monitor the implementation of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA), mainly by holding bi-annual Pre-Summit Consultative Meetings to the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The 33rd Gimac meeting was hosted in UNECA headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Towards Gender-Responsive Solutions To Forced Displacement”

AYC was represented in this meeting by Keith Andere, The director of programmes where he spoke on the panel “Role of Arts and Media”

Download Concept Note

AYC delegation paid a courtesy call to H.E. Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission and other Partners in Addis Ababa.

The AYC delegation led by Ms. Natalie Sonia Mukundane, Ag. Executive Chairperson had series of meetings with officials of UNFPA Liaison Office to AU and ECA, Social Development Policy Division, Population and Youth Section of UNECA, AU Youth4Peace Programme, HRTS Youth Division and Department of Political Affair African Governance Architecture Secretariat.

The meetings were meant to officially inform them about the forthcoming 3rd Pan African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development and the Annual General Assembly Meeting of the AYC, taking place from 23-26 March 2019 in Banjul, The Gambia, seek for their collaboration and invite them to attend the conference.

The delegation paid a courtesy call to H.E Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission to invite, seek for the support and endorsement of the African Union Commission. Welcoming the delegation to the African Union Headquarters, Ambassador Quartey on behalf of the Chairperson of the AUC thanked the AYC delegation for the visit and congratulated them for the foresight and good work they’re doing in engaging youth culturally, intellectually, economically and politically to participate in the Development of Africa.

Ambassador Quartey expressed delight to be associated with African Youth Commission and assured the full support of the African Union Commission.

“Any development that comes to the World, comes from the young people, because youth is a time to dream”, Ambassador Quartey said.

H.E. Quartey accepted the invitation to attend the forthcoming 3rd Pan African Youth Conference on African Unity and Development in Banjul in March.

View pictures from our Facebook page.

AYC at 5th Arts4Peace Africa Forum 23-26 January 2019

AYC is a partner to the 5th Arts4Peace Forum 2019 organised by the African Artists Peace Initiative (AAPI)

The Fifth Arts4Peace Africa Forum is taking place from the 23 to 27 January 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the theme: ‘’Rethinking and Acting on The Situations and Needs of Refugees and Returnees in Africa’’. In company with African Union theme for 2019; “Year of Refugees, Returnees, and internally Displaced persons in Africa”. Celebrated under the theme: ‘Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement’.

AYC was ably represented by Ms. Natalie Sonia Mukundane, Ag. Executive Chairperson, Mr. Keith Ephraim Andere, Director of Programmes and Mr. Kawsu Sillah, Executive Secretary.

During the Forum, Ag. Executive Chairperson Ms. Natalie Sonia Mukundane moderated a session on ”Building A Culture of Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa; Results, Challenges and Opportunities”. And Kawsu Sillah, Executive Secretary spoke on a panel on “Role of Youth, Artists and Media (YAM), in the AU Campaign on Silencing All Guns in Africa by 2020.

For more and pictures:

Download the Concept Note

Download the Program Guide

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AYC participated in WWF’s Mapping and Assessment Exercise on Capacity and Levels of Engagement of Pan African Youth Networks in Contributing to the Sustainable Development Agenda.

The African Youth Charter defines youth as “every person between the ages of 15 and 35 years” (AU, 2006). Despite the recognition of the important role of youth in the delivery of green growth, and ultimately sustainable development, not enough has been done to enhance their ability to drive this agenda. Not only are youth particularly affected by the global crises such as climate change, but our societies currently fail to benefit fully from the creativity and dynamism inherent to youth. Green jobs resulting from green growth innovation by young people can be a steppingstone towards creating space for youth contributions to societal change.

To respond to this issue, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), commissioned a study to map and assess the capacity and levels of engagement of existing Pan African Youth Networks towards meaningful transformative actions to contribute towards green growth and sustainable development in Africa. This is expected to inform the key areas of focus towards building and strengthening capacity to drive the desired change towards sustainable development in Africa.

For more download the Individual Organisational Capacity Assessment Report for AYC

Download the Full Report – Mapping and Assessment of PAYNS

AYC at Annual Youth Forum for Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel, Ouagadougou, December 2018

Mr. Kawsu Sillah, AYC Executive Secretary alongside Mr. Lamin Mokendeh Darboe, Executive Director at Gambia National Youth Council participated in the Annual Youth Forum for Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel organised by United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel – Unowas and the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas_Cedeao) Youth and Sports Development Centre in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso,from 10-12 December 2018.

AYC at International Anti Corruption Day, Nairobi, December 2018

On December 9th, 2018 in Nairobi Kenya, AYC Ag. Executive Chairperson Ms. Natalie Mukundane Kyamutetera joined 100 of young people and other stakeholders to paint the Nairobi city white in celebration of International Anti Corruption Day 2018 courtesy of Transparency International.

Today we painted Nairobi city white as we marked ‘The International Anti Corruption day’ with Transparency International. As youth, it is very imperative we are all UNITED in the fight against lies, dishonesty and theft!!! Don’t sit back, don’t be scared of anyone or any institution doing wrong. You are not HELPLESS!! Use your voice to ask for accountability, use your voice if you witness injustice, use your voice if you witness abuse of Human Rights, use your voice to call out Youth leaders masquerading to fight for your interests. No one is untouchable, myself inclusive. We are fixing our nations! Together, one day at a time. We shall be victors in achieving a corruption less continent. – Ms. Mukundane said. 

#TheAfricaWeWant #YouthAgainstCorruption #AfricaAgainstCorrupprion #YouthPower #YouthVoices #YouthLeadershipInAfrica #DGTrend #Road2AYCGA2019

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