The African Union Department of Health, Humanitarian and Social
Affairs and The Office of the African Union Youth Envoy, in collaboration with
partners, hosted an AU
humanitarian youth forum and pledging conference ahead of the scheduled African Union
Extraordinary Summit to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from the 25th to the 28th of May 2022.
“It is my sincere hope as the Youth Envoy, that at the end of this
summit, we have deliberated a youth-centric humanitarian architecture, a
protocol on the free movement of persons and come up with a definitive,
sustainable political resolution. This resolution statement will incorporate
our ideas and solutions and become a plan of action to integrate the youths in
the overall summit outcomes.” - The African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, H.E. Ms.
Chido Mpemba.
The key objective of this forum
aligns with Aspiration 6 of the African Union Agenda 2063 and article 11 of the
African Youth Charter, by providing young people with the opportunity to have
their voices heard by key decision makers on key issues that are to be
deliberated at the summit. Young people from all over Africa came to discuss
the road that is to be taken towards inclusivity, integration and the
advancement of Africa as a whole.
“To achieve the Agenda 2063 and the Africa we want; we must collectively seek solutions that will drive
concrete political action from all duty bearers.” said The Youth Envoy.
On the sidelines of the event in Nairobi, the Youth Envoy held a consultation with the young
refugee’s policy group as part of her 60 days listening tour campaign to gain
insights that will further
contribute to the development of youth-led, meaningful programs and plans of
the African Union towards achieving Agenda 2063.
H.E.
Amb. King Adekunle, who
is the Chair of the PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees and IDPs had the following to
say: “On developing the sensitization
strategy to the protocol on Free Movement of Persons, there is a need to look
at the benefits and challenges of the free movement of people, especially as it
relates to crime and security.”
Africa faces more humanitarian crises than any other continent
with over 282 million people experiencing food related shortages while a
further 32 million are displaced. These crises have been further exacerbated by
the covid-19 pandemic and the logistical challenges it presented.
“It is worrying that humanitarian crises in Africa are increasing,
millions of people require humanitarian assistance. There is a need for
collective action and response, greater integration and multi-sectoral
humanitarian assistance focused on root causes and prevention.” – Dr. Margaret Agama-Anyetei, Ag Director
of Health and Humanitarian Affairs Directorate, AUC. This event is a key milestone towards the realization of the
Agenda 2063 and empowering young people to take part in the deliberation of key
issues to that effect.
“We need member states to involve the youth to co-lead,
co-develop and co-create tangible solutions to solve the humanitarian crises
and threats”- The Youth Envoy said in closing.
The recommendations set forward in this forum will inform the
heads of states’ meeting in the upcoming summit in Malabo.
ABOUT AFRICAN UNION YOUTH ENVOY
Ms. Chido
Mpemba, is the youngest diplomat at
the African Union Commission. The Envoy is mandated to serve as a
representative of and advocate for the voices and interests of African youth to
the relevant African Union decision-making bodies. The Youth Envoy’s office
engages African Youth on the continent and in the diaspora to draw them towards
supporting and promoting positive social change, intergenerational dialogue and
concrete action for Africa’s development as underscored in Agenda 2063.
To get in touch with the Office of the Youth Envoy, you may email auyouthenvoy@africa-union.org
Source: Directorate of Information and Communication,
African Union Commission
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