Youth & Development
Great change requires great vision. African youth - those who believe in the ability of the continent to live up to its full potential - have the vision necessary for meaningful change in Africa. And in order for change to be effectively initiated and continually sustained, the youth of Africa need the knowledge, resources, and training that are crucial to ensuring that their visions can become a concrete and lasting reality.
The Youth of Africa today are faced with innumerable challenges stemming from poor socio-economic status of much of the continent and the inability and or apathy of governments in fostering youth representation in policy making processes. African youth represent a majority demographic in many African nations yet are excluded from political representation. The AIDS pandemic, severe unemployment rates, gender inequality, inadequate nutrition and health care, ravaging wars, and poor access to education all characterize the present challenges faced by African countries. A systematic and long term plan for Africa is absolutely essential for the future; the mobilization of Africa's youth is imperative to its inception and execution.
Once every year, FAI conducts a Pan African Youth Leadership Forum prior to the Summer Session of the African Union Summit. This forum creates an opportunity for Africa's young people to engage in discussions with leaders and policy makers on the continent in order to present their recommendations and plans of action to address the many challenges that face Africa's greatest resource - the youth.
Objectives
- To encourage youth engagement in continent wide initiatives in order to strengthen their commitment and understanding of development structures, and promote their meaningful participation in development alternatives.
- To further strengthen and sustain the ongoing dialogue between young future leaders and current African leaders on renewing and strengthening democracy in Africa in order to put it beyond reversal.
- To review progress in the ratification of the African Youth Charter as well as implementation efforts.
- To establish a forum where young people will analyze and evaluate the progress made in realizing the Millennium Development Goals in Africa in order to engage in activities towards the realization of these goals.