Young Africans of the Continent and in the Diaspora

The celebration of 1 November, dedicated as African Youth Day, recalls by its institutionalisation, the importance that our Leaders attach to youths, mentioned in the Preamble of the African Youth Charter, as the greatest wealth of the Continent. Demographic wealth, whose current weight, estimated at 482 million, is part of a growth projection estimated at 850 million by 2050.

The implications of this numerous and diversified demographic data, combine in a network of interrelations, which stresses its complexity and therefore, the need to maintain a permanent effort of reflection geared towards the determination of the modalities of an optimal consideration of needs, expectations and aspirations of young people.

Thus, beyond the aspects of rejoicing, linked to the festive dimension of this celebration, we are called upon, together, young and old, to scrutinise the multiple areas of meaning, implied in the chosen theme, namely "Breaking barriers to youths participation and inclusion through advocacy”~

The African Youth Charter provides us with an arsenal of normative elements that shed light on the way forward, in terms of youth participation and inclusion. To this end, it not only strongly reaffirms the need for such inclusion, but also and above all, it specifies the obligations of the various actors, namely the States, the African Union Commission and the young people themselves. Our ardent wish is that this trilogy operate in a synergy of understanding, action and evaluation in order to build a real symphony that resonates like an Ode to this Africa we want.

I would like, in this Message for the occasion, to dwell, particularly, on the efforts expected of the youths in respect of their participation and their inclusion in this new dynamics of development, set in motion by the African Union, since the adoption, in 2013, of Agenda 2063.

Indeed, we must have the courage to recognise that the obstacles to the inclusion of young people could be sought in governance. The rule of law, the obtention and the safeguarding of political, economic, cultural and social rights must be place at the very core of this governance.

The large number of obstacles sometimes drive some sections of our youths, to develop, under the weight of suffering related to underemployment, a dark perception of themselves, their future, their respective countries and Africa.

A glance at the number of young Africans, who perish in the torrid heat of the desert, in the cold and unforgiving waters of the Mediterranean, in search of an imaginary paradise, located in other continents than their own, attests to a deep suffering that is far from being favourable to the production of innovative ideas on which any authentic development process feeds.

The participation and inclusion of youths call for a contribution of new blood to the various debates, through a renewal of ideas. To do so, a positive mindset, steeped in resilience, patience, immersed in the virtues of moral probity and active faith in the future, remains the only guarantee of the triple political, economic and social effectiveness.

I, therefore, call upon the youths, whether on the Continent or in the Diaspora, to break down all obstacles that limit their vitality and their energy in the transformation of the Continent.

Africa will, therefore, in the years and decades to come, rely on the scientific and technological competence of its youths of today, to increase its competitive ability in an increasingly interdependent world, dominated by the cold logic of global competition.

The African Union Commission has shown itself to be a forerunner by appointing, for several years now, a Special Youth Envoy, responsible for relaying, both systematically and institutionally, the concerns of African youths to the Policy organs of the African Union. African youths and African leaders have, therefore, placed themselves within the framework of permanent advocacy in the interest of a mutual understanding of the various challenges faced by youths.

The results may take time to be confirmed, but the most important thing is to be on the way, moving towards the reasoned quest for individual and collective well-being.

It is in this perspective that I launched, in April 2019, during the 2^nd PanAfrican Youth Forum, the project One million Opportunities for Youths in the fields of Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Engagement, an initiative called the 4Es.

 The success recorded, thanks to the support provided by Member States, the private sector and many other partners, is illustrated by the achievement of the target of 8 million young people. Galvanised by these first results, I plan to take the next step with a target of 30 million youths. To the initial 4Es will be added health and wellbeing, but together, our efforts will facilitate the achievement, indeed, exceed this new milestone that we are laying down on the trajectory of our march towards the Africa we want.

I would be delighted to see the 3rd PanAfrican Youth Forum, organised as part of the celebration of African Youth Day, provide the means to deepen the reflection on the obstacles to be overcome in order to liberate the youths from negative perceptions and place their approach to the future within the general positive and creative dynamics of innovation and change.

Happy Youth Day to all of you.