Young parliamentarians have been challenged to take the lead in the formulation of policies and strategies that enhance the full participation of the African youth in political and decision-making processes.
The call was made today at the official opening of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Youth Dialogue, hosted by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the theme: “The promotion of good governance through the elimination of hunger and malnutrition: Enhancing the role of young parliamentarians and the youth in Africa’s Legislature.” The Dialogue is being held until 6 December 2022 in line with the African Union (AU) theme of 2022.
H. E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, has tasked the Continental Parliament’s Caucus on Youth to champion issues of climate change, education and youth employment on behalf of the African youth in line with the PAP’s mandate. H.E Hon. Charumbira further challenged the gathering to come up with a concrete roadmap to implement the key resolutions that will emanate from this Dialogue.
In his statement, the President of the PAP recalled previous similar youth engagements organised by the Continental Parliament as he sought to ignite a reflection on the need to monitor and evaluate these past gatherings in a bid to ensure that the Rabat Dialogue adopts a result-based approach, which guarantees impact on the ground.
Welcoming participants, H.E. Rachid Talbi Alami, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Morocco told young Parliamentarians and the African youth representatives gathered in Rabat that food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues facing the continent. According to him, young people are the key to achieving the African renaissance and the development of the continent. He added that it is time for Africa to take advantage of its wealth including the democratic dividend presented by the youth.
H. E. Naama Mayara, Speaker of the House of Councillors of Morocco was adamant that the 4th industrial revolution is an opportunity to take advantage of the talent of our youth. He said that a lot of ground was lost due to Covid-19 and it’s time to strengthen actions on food security, with the youth at the forefront, to enable Africa to move forward with its agenda.
H. E. Mohamed Almahdi Ben Saeed, Minister of Youth and Culture of the Kingdom of Morocco said that the Kingdom has put mechanisms in place to harness youth potential in finding solutions to several challenges. The Kingdom, he stressed, stands ready to accompany the efforts of the African Union to empower Young Africans to achieve Continental development.
Hon. Laila Dahi – Chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Caucus on Youth accepted the challenge for young Parliamentarians to lead efforts to coordinate youth-related issues and promote policy implementation to make youth development and mainstreaming a reality.
The first day of the PAP Youth Dialogue in Morocco included a Panel presentation and discussion on the role of parliaments in youth empowerment; African Union Methods for Youth Empowerments and Inclusion with a focus on AU Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Initiative and AU 1 million next level; and an engagement on empowering the youth through existing Legal and Continental commitments pledged by Members states.
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