Vienna, Austria - The African Union Office of the Youth Envoy, in collaboration with the Austrian National Youth Council, have successfully concluded a groundbreaking five-day study visit and dialogue conference in Vienna, Austria. The study visit, held from November 6th to November 10th, 2023, under the theme "Strengthening Youth Participation to End Inequalities," resonated harmoniously with Africa Youth Month's spirit and its guiding theme, "Youth-led movements that transcend borders." The African Union Chairperson, in a heartfelt message on Africa Youth Day, emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for African Youth to explore their full potential. He said, "The Africa we want for our African Youth requires us all to reflect on our contributions to ensuring that young people have the conducive environment they need to explore their full potential."

The Youth Reference Committee, comprising dynamic youth representatives from diverse African Union regions, as well as European counterparts, embodies the spirit of cross-continental collaboration, fostering an integrated approach to address critical issues ranging from citizen engagement to climate change, governance, peace and security, migration, education and skills development, digital technology, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. "This significant initiative underscores the vital role of African Youth in fostering global cooperation and solidarity, a cornerstone of the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Agenda 2030. By embracing the imperative of collective action, the Youth Reference Committee is positioned to spearhead progressive solutions that bridge the gaps and transcend the boundaries hindering the realization of a more equitable and inclusive world," said Ms Chido Mpemba, AU Youth Envoy, in her opening speech given at the opening ceremony of the two-day Dialogue Conference. 

Key Highlights:

• The Dialogue Conference brought together over one hundred Youths from Africa and Europe, was graced by esteemed leaders, diplomatic missions, civil society, and diaspora organizations, and served as a robust platform for thought-provoking discussions. The conference's primary outcome was to develop a joint position paper on the pivotal role of Youth in ending global inequalities. The position paper included vital recommendations made by the youth during the Dialogue Conference , to policymakers based on the current realities of young people across the globe. Members of the Youth Reference Committee will present the position paper on the margins of the upcoming AU Heads of State Summit in February 2024 and the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024.

• Diaspora Engagement Session at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. During the study visit, the Youth Envoy, Ms Chido Mpemba, convened a session with African Youth in Austria and several Diaspora organizations. This engagement session aimed to highlight avenues for African Youth in the diaspora to engage with the African Union and champion the implementation of Agenda 2063. Some of the organizations in attendance were The African Diaspora Youth Forum in Europe (ADYFE), The African Diaspora Austria, the Vienna Institute for the African Diaspora (VIAD), and the African Law Students Association (ALSO), amongst several others. The overwhelming attendance of African youth from various parts of Austria highlighted the need to create platforms that enable African youth in the diaspora to integrate and fully participate in the development of Africa.

• Youth Reference Committee visit to the Federal Chancellery for a Youth Exchange with the Austrian State Secretary of Youth, Ms. Claudia Plakolm. The primary purpose of this engagement was for the Youth Reference Committee to present their recommendations to the State Secretary on Youth and further engage in best practices on meaningful youth engagement and participation. "Youth are not just the future, but they are the present. By empowering young people to become equal partners in decision-making, we can create an equal world for all,' said Ms Claudia as she welcomed the Committee. She added that meaningful youth engagement and participation are essential for development and social justice.

The convergence of the Youth Reference Committee in Vienna and the exchange of ideas and experiences undoubtedly fortifies the bonds of global solidarity and cooperation, setting a transformative precedent for the collective pursuit of a more just and inclusive world. The Committee's active involvement underscores their commitment to advocate for the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the African Youth Charter, championed by the African Union Youth Envoy, Ms. Chido Mpempa, whose recent call to action re-emphasizes the necessity of creating conducive environments for youth empowerment and exploration of their full potential.

The African Union Office of the Youth Envoy appreciates the Austrian National Youth Council, the Austrian Embassy in Addis Ababa, and Ambassador Simone Knapp for their unwavering support towards making the study visit successful.

About the AU Youth Reference Committee:

The Youth Reference Committee is a youth-led initiative that aims to foster global youth dialogue and facilitate meaningful youth participation across various thematic areas, including citizen engagement, climate change, governance, peace and security, migration, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Education and Skills Development, gender mainstreaming in digital technology, mental health and well-being, and sexual reproductive health rights. The Twenty-five (25) African youth representatives were selected by the Office of the AU Youth Envoy from all five (5) African Union regions and represent diverse African voices. They possess an extraordinary wealth of knowledge, experience, and unwavering passion, and their inclusion in the Committee propels youth participation in development processes on the continent and globally. Their involvement in this initiative will amplify young Africans' voices, perspectives, and innovation in shaping a more equitable and inclusive future.

For more information about the Office of the Youth Envoy and the Youth Reference Committee, visit: https://au.int/en/youthenvoyoffice.

For more information Contact,

Ms Wamweni Sharlette Samundengu, | Office of the Youth Envoy | African Union Commission Tel: +251961076218 | E-mail: SamundenguW@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia