Pan-African Youth Leadership Forum

Democracy in Africa: Renewing the Vision - Accra, Ghana. June 18 – 25, 2005

African countries are confronted by countless obstacles to development. Governments and civil society organizations toil to combat poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and underemployment, conflicts and displacement, and the HIV/AIDS crisis. The socio-economic problems faced by African nations have deeply rooted historical antecedents.

Disturbingly, African youth are largely excluded from the policy debates and the identification of solutions to these key challenges. Nevertheless, it is young Africans who bear the burdens of Africa’s underdevelopment, widespread poverty, and health crises. Yet, despite their constituting a majority demographic in many African nations, they have few opportunities to contribute to dialogue on development alternatives. Friends of Africa International (FAI) believes that young Africans must be part of the development debate. As the continent’s future politicians, professionals and community leaders, African youth must be incorporated into such integrated development planning.

If, as FAI believes, youth are among Africa’s most precious resources, they must be equipped with the skills and opportunities necessary to contribute to national policy dialogue. African youth must be afforded space to stimulate socio-economic and political development so as to enhance not only their own quality of life, but also that of all Africans and of future generations. Enabling youth involvement in African political discourse calls for appropriate training and education. Equipping young professionals with skills and knowledge to engage in political action will foster the development of the continent’s future leaders.

Further, the need to involve African youth in the development process has become unequivocally apparent. The World Bank World Development Report 2007 asserts that youth are daily confronted by risk, but are also in an age laden with opportunities- opportunities to advance themselves, their families, their societies, and their economies. It is this time in life where decisions are made that will determine how human capital is protected, developed, and utilized. Thus, it is imperative that youth are afforded access to quality education, health care, gainful employment, and are given a voice to exercise their rightful citizenship. The report affirms that the situation of youth today presents the world with “an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate growth and reduce poverty” and that responsible public policy will play a vital role in realizing these potential gains. The World Bank report also suggests that policies should be analyzed through a “youth lens” and offers three strategic directions for policy reform: broadening opportunities for youth, developing youth capabilities in making informed choices among opportunities as responsible agents, and offering second chances to those who have been affected by past misfortune or poor decision-making.

In order to apply such a youth lens such a “youth lens” to policy analysis and development programming, FAI has organized this Pan African Youth Leadership Forum to be held in Accra, Ghana from June 18 -25. It will provide a venue for young Africans to be heard on the issues that they deem most pertinent to Africa’s youth.

To apply please visit http://www.fafrica.org/youthleadership.htm

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