Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 12th August 2016: The African Union Commission hosted the International Youth Day celebrations under the theme, “Youth Leading Sustainability towards the Realization of Agenda 2063.” The celebrations were organized by the Human Resource Science and Technology’s Youth Division in collaboration with Beza International. The celebrations were preceded by a two day Young African Thinkers Convention which brought together young people from all the five regions of Africa, including the Diaspora.

The two day intense brainstorming and idea-generation that served as a precursor to the Youth Day focused on implementation of Agenda 2063 by fuelling creativity and the on-going transformation towards youth development in Africa. Some of the key themes discussed included; Entertainment and film, Education, Business, Technology front, Visual graphics, Politics and Policy and Debates.

Representing the Chairperson of the AUC Dr. Dlamini Zuma, the Commissioner for Social Affairs H. E Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, in his speech commended all the youth and acknowledged the youth who helped in the organization of the event. Commissioner Kaloko stated that youth have contributed all around Africa and in their various positions through their creativity and innovativeness. “We are at a new era of implementation and youth are keen to continuously develop. I commend the youth for bringing new ideas and encourage them to work hard towards moving Africa forward and they should be people driven, unleashing the potential in women and children”, he concluded.

Present at the event, was Ms. Francine Muyumba, President of the Pan African Youth Union who reiterated the need for young people to organize themselves. She emphasized on this with reference to women whom she noted are generally successful because they are well organized and urged youth to emulate this.

Ms. Francine highlighted the various efforts that are being made to ensure the empowerment of the youth. In this regard, she lauded the African youth leaders for successfully setting up the Youth Fund that will help young African entrepreneurs.

“Africa is the youngest nation, and majority of its population is young. This, therefore, sets a call for Africa to invest in its young people. The African Union as an organization has taken this into serious consideration and has dedicated next year’s AU Summit to the youth under the theme’ “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in the Youth, concluded Ms. Muyumba

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia