A BRIEF ON THE AFRICAN YOUTH FORUM
INTRODUCTION:
The Government of Uganda is due to host the 15th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and government of the African Union in July 2010; the AU Summit. The Government of Uganda has also offered to host an African Youth Forum to precede the AU Summit. The Youth Forum will provide a platform for the young people to influence the development agenda for the African continent. The Forum is consistent with the spirit and intent of the African Youth Charter and most specifically articles; 11, 12, 26 and 28.
The African Youth Charter was adopted during the Seventh Ordinary session of the conference of Heads of State and Government held on July 2nd 2006, Banjul the Gambia. Consequently, Uganda as a State Party ratified the Charter on 6th August 2008. The Charter ultimately came into force in August 2009. AYC provides concrete legal basis for ensuring youth presence and participation in Government structures and Forums at National, Regional and Continental levels. The Charter is indeed a fundamental expression of Political Commitment to youth empowerment.
1. OBJECTIVES OF THE FORUM:
- Position the African Youth to influence and impact on the decision making process.
- Explore the most effective way of transmitting the young people’s thinking to leaders whose ecisions affect them.
Develop a framework for establishing a mechanism for African Youth to effectively communicate with the leadership in Africa and ensure that the Forum becomes an integral and regular component of all future African Union Heads of State and Government Summits.
2. DATES:
The Forum will take place on 17th, 18th and 19th of July 2010. Delegates will arrive on 16th July 2010 and depart on 20th July 2010.
3. THEME:
The theme for the Forum is “Maternal and Child Health; African Youth Call for Action”.
4. VENUE:
The venue for the Forum is Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel (IBBH) Entebbe and it is already booked for this activity.
5. WHO IS INVITED:
We are inviting 2 delegates from each of the member states save those with sanctions (i.e. adagascar, Niger) proposed criterion of selection attached for ease of reference. Uganda as a host will be represented by 20 delegates.
6. COORDINATION:
A coordination office has been established within MOFA and is fully functional. The office is headed by the Forum Coordinator, assisted by an officer assigned by UNICEF and one Foreign Services Officer.
Youth Forum Sub-committee - a Youth Forum Sub-committee was established and does conduct forum business every Tuesday 10:00am in MOFA. The committee is constituted by the following offices; MGLSD, MOFA, MOH, OP, 1st Lady’s Office, Commonwealth Association, NYC, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO. The sub-committee also benefits from the guidance of the national task force.
7. FUNDING:
Whereas, the main funder for the Forum is UNICEF, other development partners are being brought on board to participate and support various pre-event activities. Such events include but not limited to the following: - pre-forum workshops, media engagement and IEC material.
For that matter, the 1st Development Partner’s meeting took place at UNICEF offices on 29th April, 2010, the 2nd Partner’s meeting took place on 13th May, 2010 at the World Bank offices and the 3rd Partner’s meeting took place at Uganda Red Cross Society offices on 20th May, 2010. The 4th Partner’s meeting will take place at UNFPA Country Offices on 27th May, 2010. From the meetings, it is clear that a number of development partners would like to identify themselves with this historical event, the 1st of its kind on the African Continent.
8. SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOU AND UNICEF:
On 5th May, 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of Uganda and UNICEF. The Memorandum is now fully in force.
9. INVITATION:
The first invitation letter has been dispatched to member states using the usual diplomatic channels.
10. SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE FORUM:
v An Open Space Media hub will be set up for youth to be able to record, broadcast and showcase their reports on the proceedings via multi-media channels locally, regionally and internationally.
v Government of Uganda with its partners will also organize an exhibition depicting theme related success stories and experiences. v Round table discussions between selected African Heads of State and selected youth participants.
11. SPECIAL EVENTS PRIOR AND DURING THE FORUM:
· Entertainment which will include a Cultural Night, a musical extravaganza and a Band Night.
· Two (2) Cocktails, one at the Opening Ceremony and another at the Closing Ceremony.
· A tour of the Source of the Nile .
· Intensive media engagement-Multi media approach.
· Selection and induction of delegates.
· Pre-consultative meetings-on going.
12. OPENING CEREMONY:
It is proposed that this ceremony be officially opened by H.E the President of Uganda with the attendance of the African Union Commission Chairperson on Saturday 17th July 2010 with immense color, glamour and fanfare exceeding that of CYF6. We ntend to have a high -tech and glamorous Opening Ceremony with a multi-media engagement.
13. CLOSING CEREMONY:
It is proposed that this will be on 19th July 2010 and presided over by either the Vice President or PM of the GOU. (Proposed programme attached for further information).
14. JUST FOR NOTING:
It is important to note that the year 2010 was adopted on 18th December 2009, by the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly of resolution 64/131 as the International Year of the Youth. This year therefore, is meant to be utilized by State parties to take stock of the various interventions aimed at uplifting the young people’s standards of living. It also provides an opportunity for member states to initiate new approaches and strategies aimed at making young people’s voices heard. The year will also provide a platform for all member States to evaluate the implementation of the World Programme of Action on Youth at the World Youth Conference due in Mexico , August, 2010.
15. CHALLENGES:
No assurance on having a representative of the young people presenting the AYF communiqué to the Heads of State and Government Summit.
· No assurance on whether the Roundtable discussions will be possible.
· Some States are already requesting to be allowed to send more than 2 delegates.
· Some states feel that they should send youth delegates as per their countries definition of who a youth is.
· Painting of young people.
· Total dependency on donor funding.26th May, 2010
2. DATES:
The Forum will take place on 17th, 18th and 19th of July 2010. Delegates will arrive on 16th July 2010 and depart on 20th July 2010.
3. THEME:
The theme for the Forum is “Maternal and Child Health; African Youth Call for Action”.
4. VENUE:
The venue for the Forum is Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel (IBBH) Entebbe and it is already booked for this activity.
5. WHO IS INVITED:
We are inviting 2 delegates from each of the member states save those with sanctions (i.e. adagascar, Niger) proposed criterion of selection attached for ease of reference. Uganda as a host will be represented by 20 delegates.
6. COORDINATION:
A coordination office has been established within MOFA and is fully functional. The office is headed by the Forum Coordinator, assisted by an officer assigned by UNICEF and one Foreign Services Officer.
Youth Forum Sub-committee - a Youth Forum Sub-committee was established and does conduct forum business every Tuesday 10:00am in MOFA. The committee is constituted by the following offices; MGLSD, MOFA, MOH, OP, 1st Lady’s Office, Commonwealth Association, NYC, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO. The sub-committee also benefits from the guidance of the national task force.
7. FUNDING:
Whereas, the main funder for the Forum is UNICEF, other development partners are being brought on board to participate and support various pre-event activities. Such events include but not limited to the following: - pre-forum workshops, media engagement and IEC material.
For that matter, the 1st Development Partner’s meeting took place at UNICEF offices on 29th April, 2010, the 2nd Partner’s meeting took place on 13th May, 2010 at the World Bank offices and the 3rd Partner’s meeting took place at Uganda Red Cross Society offices on 20th May, 2010. The 4th Partner’s meeting will take place at UNFPA Country Offices on 27th May, 2010. From the meetings, it is clear that a number of development partners would like to identify themselves with this historical event, the 1st of its kind on the African Continent.
8. SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOU AND UNICEF:
On 5th May, 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of Uganda and UNICEF. The Memorandum is now fully in force.
9. INVITATION:
The first invitation letter has been dispatched to member states using the usual diplomatic channels.
10. SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE FORUM:
v An Open Space Media hub will be set up for youth to be able to record, broadcast and showcase their reports on the proceedings via multi-media channels locally, regionally and internationally.
v Government of Uganda with its partners will also organize an exhibition depicting theme related success stories and experiences. v Round table discussions between selected African Heads of State and selected youth participants.
11. SPECIAL EVENTS PRIOR AND DURING THE FORUM:
· Entertainment which will include a Cultural Night, a musical extravaganza and a Band Night.
· Two (2) Cocktails, one at the Opening Ceremony and another at the Closing Ceremony.
· A tour of the Source of the Nile .
· Intensive media engagement-Multi media approach.
· Selection and induction of delegates.
· Pre-consultative meetings-on going.
12. OPENING CEREMONY:
It is proposed that this ceremony be officially opened by H.E the President of Uganda with the attendance of the African Union Commission Chairperson on Saturday 17th July 2010 with immense color, glamour and fanfare exceeding that of CYF6. We ntend to have a high -tech and glamorous Opening Ceremony with a multi-media engagement.
13. CLOSING CEREMONY:
It is proposed that this will be on 19th July 2010 and presided over by either the Vice President or PM of the GOU. (Proposed programme attached for further information).
14. JUST FOR NOTING:
It is important to note that the year 2010 was adopted on 18th December 2009, by the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly of resolution 64/131 as the International Year of the Youth. This year therefore, is meant to be utilized by State parties to take stock of the various interventions aimed at uplifting the young people’s standards of living. It also provides an opportunity for member states to initiate new approaches and strategies aimed at making young people’s voices heard. The year will also provide a platform for all member States to evaluate the implementation of the World Programme of Action on Youth at the World Youth Conference due in Mexico , August, 2010.
15. CHALLENGES:
No assurance on having a representative of the young people presenting the AYF communiqué to the Heads of State and Government Summit.
· No assurance on whether the Roundtable discussions will be possible.
· Some States are already requesting to be allowed to send more than 2 delegates.
· Some states feel that they should send youth delegates as per their countries definition of who a youth is.
· Painting of young people.
· Total dependency on donor funding.26th May, 2010
