Tunis, Tunisia -18 May 2016: As part of efforts to promote and accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063, The African Union Commission (AUC) participated in the Simulation of the African Union’s Summit, held in Tunis, Tunisia from 14 to 15 May 2016. The AUC delegation that represented Her Excellency the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the simulation exercise included Dr. Beatrice Njenga, Head of Education and Ag. Head of Youth Division as Head of delegation; Mr. Vukani Lumumba, Communications Advisor, Bureau of the AUC Chairperson; and Mr. Musa Frimpong, AU Youth Volunteer, Youth Division, HRST.

The simulation exercise was the third edition organised by the Tunisian youth-led NGO, Model African Union as a platform to impute in young Africans the spirit of Pan Africanism, leadership skills and knowledge about the African Union and its decision making processes. The event offered the young Africans a unique opportunity to integrate, share ideas and experiences, and deliberate on issues of development across the African continent. The exercise brought together 170 young Africans from 10 different African countries representing all AU regions.

The simulation exercise was held under the theme ''2016 - African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on Women rights'' with main objectives of involving African Youth and engaging them on their duty to promote and maintain unity, peace and development on the continent; establish a culture of shared responsibility and leadership; create awareness of the role, the organisation and importance of the AU at continental and international level and highlight the issue of economic, social and security policies facing the African Continent.
In her address, Dr. Beatrice Njenga on behalf Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the African Union Commission commended the organisers and participants of the simulation for taking practical action towards building the Africa they want. “Indeed, our superordinate goal is to ensure a united and “integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”. Such an Africa ought to holistically address the needs and aspirations of young people who constitute over 65 per cent of our population. This is what motivated Africa’s leaders to conduct worldwide consultations during 2013 with a simple question to all Africans here and in the diaspora; “what type of Africa would you want to see in the year 2063”. Dreaming long term has offered us a blue print for Africa’s development over the next 50 years or so. The product of those dreams has given the continent a new lease of life through the aspirations and implementation programme of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’ she added.
She added that “African Union Commission is committed to partner young Africans at any given opportunity such as this and ensuring that appropriate platforms are made available for you to be active players in all the key development activities in the continent. Such investments and opportunities in young Africans by the African union include internships; the African Union Youth volunteer Corps (AU-YVC) programme, and scholarships including the Mwalimu Nyerere and the Pan African University, Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards and Research Grants, celebration of African Youth Heroes among others.” She called for strengthening linkages among youth organisations across the continent, including African Union Clubs for strengthening intra-African collaboration.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia, Mr. Chiheb Bouden in his address highlighted the importance of holding such events to provide opportunity for young Africans to understand the economic, political and social challenges facing the development of African as well as boost co-operation among African citizens. He challenged the youth to make good use of the platform to play their role as strategic population for the next phase of Africa’s development. The platform is good grounds for preparing African youth for productive life and diplomatic practice. He urged foreign students who constitute over 4,000 in the public and private sector in Tunisia to be ambassadors of Tunisia and other African countries in their countries of origin in other to accelerate the integration of the people of Africa.

The President and Founder of Model African Union, Mr. Hamza Ghadamsi expressed his appreciation to the AUC and other partners for their support for the simulation exercise over the past years. He added that “Africa does not lack strength because it has its passionate, energetic and creative youth. Young Africans needs to learn a sense of common interest and to forget the individualism and selfishness which impedes their development. And to learn and apply the true values of commitment, sense of responsibility and honesty at all levels and in all aspects of their lives towards building an integrated, peaceful and prosperous Africa.”
The AUC delegation during the two day event provided general guidance, met with key partners and was part of the jury Chaired by Dr. Beatrice Njenga that selected best delegates and chairpersons for the simulation exercise.
Key personalities who attended the event include a Representative of the Tunisian Presidency, Representative for Nigeria Ambassador to Tunisia, Head of Mission for International Organization for Migration, Ms. Malek Lamine, Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the main sponsors of the event, Miss Rola Badran, Representative of the Arab Institute for Human Rights and Dr. Raymonde Agossou, Former Head of Youth Division, AUC.
For more information please contact:

Ms. Pamela Charidza| Youth Policy Technical Officer | Human resources, Science and Technology Department | African Union Commission I Tel: +215115517700 |Email: charidzap@africa-union.org