Global South Youth Bureau Celebrates African Youth Day with AU Simulation Model
As Africa continues to navigate social, economic and political challenges, events like this underscore the critical need to invest in and empower the continent's youth.
CAIRO, Egypt — The Global South Youth Bureau at Egypt's Ministry of Youth and Sports organized a celebration to mark African Youth Day, featuring a simulation model of the African Union and discussions on the African Youth Charter and youth empowerment, writes Winston Mwale.
The event, held at the ministry, was attended by a select group of youth leaders, researchers and students from various Egyptian universities, particularly those specializing in languages, translation, and political science.
The celebration opened with a welcome by Hassan Ghazaly, the Director of the Global South Youth Bureau, who conveyed greetings from the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Ghazaly highlighted the African Union's 2024 theme, which emphasizes the critical importance of education in building the continent's future.
"The African Youth Charter is a significant legal achievement that reflects the African Union's commitment to empowering youth and supporting their rights in various fields," Ghazaly said.
Adopted in 2006 and entered into force in 2009, the Charter represents a vital framework for supporting youth participation in sustainable development and enhancing their role in governance, peace and security at the continental level, Ghazaly explained.
"The Charter addresses core issues for youth, such as education, employment, health and political participation, emphasizing the need to create an environment that guarantees equal opportunities for young people and helps them unleash their potential," Ghazaly said.
The event also featured a discussion panel on life skills, led by Nervana Fadel, the General Coordinator of the Art of Life Management Office under the Central Administration of the Minister of Youth and Sports' Office.
Fadel discussed concepts in positive psychology, including psychological support and the impact of prevailing trends and thought patterns on individuals and society.
"Continuous effort and hard work are crucial to achieving desired goals," Fadel stressed.
"Regularly reviewing and carefully evaluating ideas is essential for progress and building a balanced, healthy life."
Additionally, researcher Mai Aglan conducted a workshop on the fundamentals of policy paper writing, addressing concepts and principles in the field of public policy.
Aglan covered the various types of public policies, their characteristics and the importance of ensuring they are realistic and implementable within available resources.
"Research institutions play a vital role in supporting the public policy-making process," Aglan said.
"Producing and disseminating research papers through social media platforms can have an effective impact on shaping public opinion and decision-making."
Aglan also provided practical guidelines for writing a policy recommendation paper, emphasizing the need for brevity and a clear presentation of the advantages and disadvantages of each recommendation.
In closing, Ghazaly emphasized the African Union Simulation Model's endeavor to activate the African Youth Charter as a tool for reviewing member states' implementation of genuine youth policies, in line with the Africa 2063 vision and Sustainable Development Goals.
"This celebration is part of our efforts to enhance opportunities for comprehensive progress for the continent's youth," Ghazaly said.
The Global South Youth Bureau's event aligned with the African Union's commemoration of African Youth Day, celebrated annually on November 1st to recognize the significant contributions of African youth and their role in the continent's development.
The simulation model of the African Union provided a platform for youth engagement and dialogue, fostering a greater understanding of the continent's shared aspirations and the importance of the African Youth Charter in driving youth empowerment and participation.
As Africa continues to navigate social, economic and political challenges, events like this underscore the critical need to invest in and empower the continent's youth, who hold the key to a prosperous and inclusive future.