“Nothing for us without us”, African Union Agenda 2063 Youth Summit
From 29th October to 1st November 2015, over 300 youth across Africa, including Michael Aboneka of Uganda National NGO Forum, gathered at the African Union (AU) Headquarters to deliberate on youth demands in the implementation of Agenda 2063 as well as celebrate the Africa Youth Day. All the member state countries were represented in the AU-Model simulations where four committees on Youth, gender, Health and Education deliberated on the problems affecting Africa and the possible solutions to deal with the same.
The Chairperson AU Commission, H.E Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, appreciated the youth of Africa for their commitment to making Africa a better place through their various activities in their home countries, noted that if the same spirit continues to be exhibited, Africa shall live the dream of Agenda 2063. Dr. Zuma emphasized the need for the young people to invest their energies in entrepreneurship and Agriculture to uplift their economic and social lives.
The President of the Pan African Youth Union called upon the youth to put pressure on their governments to implement not only the Agenda 2063 but also the global Development goals (SDGs) since they are the majority holding so much power. She also emphasized the need for African youth to focus and invest in entrepreneurship as it has proved to be one of the ways through which Africa can overcome poverty.
The Commissioner, Human Resources Science and Technology urged the African youth to join the Pan African Youth Union and also embrace the AU clubs in their countries so as to streamline activities of the youth participation in the AU. He further called upon the youth to be aware of their potential so that they can meaningfully support Africa. He emphasized the need for every country to celebrate 1st November as the Africa Youth Day and called upon the youth to task their home departments to make sure that this day is celebrated throughout Africa.
The youth called upon the AU to recognize their efforts, engage them in decision making processes thus: “Nothing for us without us” which loosely translates to meaningful engagement and involvement of youth in all affairs that affect them in Africa. The youth further called upon their member states to celebrate the Africa Youth Day every 1st November and for the AU to monitor the member states in the implementation of the resolutions passed if Agenda 2063 is to be achieved.
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