Youth challenged on taking Africa to the next level

Abstract

Young people in Africa have been called upon to change their mindset about Africa’s potential, in order to achieve the continent’s set goals.

This was said by the Chief of Staff to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Jean Baptiste Natama, during a public dialogue in ‘The Role of the Youth in the African Union Agenda 2063’ held at the University of Nairobi.

In his key note presentation, the Ambassador said that it was time for the youth in Africa to adopt a broader mindset and strive to set achievable goals for the continent. He noted that the continent is fueled by bad attitudes and poor leadership styles which need to change. In noting that Africa is a youthful continent with the youth taking up 60 percent of its population, the Ambassador emphasized that the rise and empowerment of the youth, can result in a paradigm change at all levels, and it was the time for the youth to realize their potential to build Africa for tomorrow.

Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, charged the youth to reflect on what the first crop of Africa’s leaders envisioned for the continent. He pointed out that the younger generation has not fully realized its potential and is slowly imbibing negative foreign culture that affects their pride in promoting the values, goods and services of their motherland.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Magoha, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Henry Mutoro, said that the main aim of the forum was to enhance the voice of the youth and involve them in the African Union’s processes. The outcome of the deliberations and the forum will be presented at the African Union summit in January 2014.

During the session moderated by Julie Gichuru, the students discussed pertinent issues affecting Africa, shared initiatives set up to voice the concerns of the youth and change society and proposed some tangible solutions.

The youth dialogue was organized by the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) particularly the IDIS Forum for International Affairs (IFIA) in partnership with State of the Union Africa and Oxfam