PRESS RELEASE
LAUNCH OF 50 AFRICAN UNION YOUTH CLUBS AND THE AFRICAN YOUTH CONTINENTAL PUBLICATION ‘I AFRICA’

Johannesburg, South Africa 4th April 2016: The African Union Commission in collaboration with The African Union Youth Club (AUYCs) at the University of Cape Town partnered for an important launch of 50 AUYCs and an African youth continental publication, ‘I Africa’, held at the historic Constitution Hill on 26 March 2016.

The Commission was represented by H. E. Ambassador Baso Sangqu, Chief Advisor to the AUC Chairperson, Mr. Vukani Lumumba Mthintso, Communications Advisor, Bureau of the Chairperson of the Commission, Ms. Diana Diallo, Youth Engagement Officer in the department of Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST) of the AUC, Youth Division. The launch marked a monumental step in achieving a key objective laid out in Agenda 2063.

In his remarks, Ambassador Baso Sangqu spoke on the importance of youth in engaging on continental issues as outlined in Agenda 2063. Ambassador Sangqu quoted from the Chairperson of the Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s seminal speech titled “E-mail from the future” delivered in January 2014, a precursor to the Africa Agenda 2063: “The role played by successive generations of African youth to our success towards a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa was great…..they formed AUYCs in schools and universities across the continent, and linked with each other via social media. Thus we saw the grand push for integration, for free movement of people, for harmonization of education and professional qualifications, with the Pan African University and indeed the university sector and intelligentsia playing an instrumental role…..”

The AUYCs at the University of Cape Town was established in 2014 following a meeting of the AUC Chairperson with students at the University of Cape Town. During the meeting, the Chairperson challenged the Club to assist in the establishment of other AUYCs across the continent. The Club with support from its continental partners has facilitated the establishment of 50 AUYCs in four African Countries (South Africa, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroun). The AUYCs represent nationals from over 46 African countries.

The event also launched the #IamAgenda2063 and #Africa112 campaigns which aim at empowering women and youth for the attainment of Agenda 2063.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Pamela Charidza onCharidzaP@africa-union.org

Media contact:
Esther Azaa Tankou | Ag. Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: Yamboue@african-union.org I Tel: +251 911361185

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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