African Youth Day: Youth United in Action for Agenda 2063 Prioritizing Youth Empowerment By Prudence Ngwenya

Africa and its Youth Bulge Over 65% of Africa’s 1 Billion Population is under the age of 35 40% of Africa’s Population is classified as “Youth” (i.e. age 15 -35) This makes Africa the most ‘Youthful’ continent Youth however remains largely disenfranchised in the continent’s development Unemployment No. 1 concern among youth

From a negative image… In most of our societies, young people are associated with negative behavior In many countries, ‘youth’ is associated with delinquency, gangs, public disorder, civil strife as well as drug and alcohol abuse. On the contrary - young people can and want to participate in all aspects of society! Their commitment and active involvement in many voluntary organizations is the best example!!!

Towards a positive approach  Young people are a rich and dynamic force Precarious living conditions such as unemployment, exclusion and poverty may threaten their potential to lead healthy and productive lives. Therefore, it is essential that young people be able to build the capacities that foster their active involvement in society and alleviate the risk of becoming disillusioned and prone to destructive behavior -------}NEED for empowerment!!! Thus, young people need to be enabled with the kinds of opportunities and skills which will support their empowerment and allow them to become full and equal partners. Whereas it is clear that the problems of young people cannot be ignored, changing our image of and approach towards youth is crucial!

Core themes Youth Participation Youth Mainstreaming Youth Empowerment

Youth Participation Youth have a say in decisions that affect their lives, organizations and communities. Youth have an important contribution to make in decisions that impact on their lives, organizations and communities; Young have the skills, knowledge and confidence to get involved with decision making; and A culture exists within which young people's opinions and contributions are recognized, valued and acted upon by wider society.

The 3 lens approach to youth participation

Youth Mainstreaming Means that youth issues are no longer to be confined to a specific thematic program or targeted projects but, owing to their multidisciplinary and trans-sectoral nature, are to be considered and integrated into all programmes and initiatives. Priority 5 of the AUC : Mainstream the participation of women and the youth in all priorities and activities of the AUC and the continent This is a blueprint for policy and action aimed at improving the conditions of youth in Africa.

Youth Mainstreaming cont.. Allocating a proportion of all relevant budgets to youth development; Introducing a youth assets perspective to the work of all relevant bodies; Setting up appropriate mechanisms for youth participation in policy-making; Systematically monitoring and reporting progress made in youth development; and Building the body of knowledge on youth affairs.

Youth Empowerment An attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults Young people are empowered when they acknowledge that they have or can create choices in life, are aware of the implications of those choices, make an informed decision freely, take action based on that decision and accept responsibility for the consequences of those actions. Empowering young people means creating and supporting the enabling conditions under which young people can act on their own behalf, and on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others."

What is the Youth Division doing? Develop policy frameworks on youth at Continental level for implementation at Member State level Harmonize national youth policies across all AU Member States Build the capacity of Member States by providing technical assistance (CTAM) Build capacity of youth led and youth serving networks in Africa Implement youth empowerment programs

Key points to remember Young people have specific needs and aspirations and constitute an enormous potential for social development We need to promote a more positive image of ‘youth’ Young people do want to participate. Their involvement is key to all development efforts and to the creation of just and democratic societies.

Merci Beaucoup 