4th Africa – Europe Youth Summit 2017 for Young Leaders – Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Application Deadline: July 26th 2017

Program Date: 2nd-4th October, 2017

Venue: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

African and European youth today poses many common challenges such as poverty and limited access to resources, education, healthcare and employment, along with social discrimination, lack of participation in decision-making and conflicts. By bringing together African and European Youth organisations and motivated and engaged young people, the Summit and plug-in initiative will strengthen the direct participation in the political dialogue that shapes our present reality and future outcomes.

The youth organisations involved include the Panafrican Youth Union (PYU), European Youth Forum (YFJ), Advisory Council on Youth in Council of Europe (AC-CoE), Network of International Youth Organisations in Africa (NIYOA), African Diaspora Youth Network in Europe (ADYNE) and African Caribbean and Pacific Young Professionals Network’s (ACP YPN).

The international context and EU-Africa relations are constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities. Since the historic first Africa-EU Summit in Cairo in 2000, where the Africa-EU partnership framework was established, considerable change has taken place on both continents, which challenge the way Africa and Europe perceive each other.

The Africa-EU Partnership is adapting to these changing realities through constant formal dialogue between African and European counterparts at different levels:

• EU-Africa Summits of Heads of States and Governments take place every three years alternatively in Africa and Europe. These Summits take stock of the progress made in the implementation of commitments made and provide political guidance for further work.

The 4th Africa-Europe Youth Summit will bring together more than 120 youth leaders from both continents, including African Diaspora on 2-4 October in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire agree a declaration on themes including education, peace & security, environment, business, democratic inclusion and culture.

Criteria for participation:

• Age 18-30
• Current involvement in a youth organisation/network
• Experience of implementing an initiative under at least one of the themes
• Prior interest and previous knowledge of Africa-Europe cooperation
• Ability to work in either English or French

2. A follow-up group, the “plug-in initiative” will take the declaration and work between October 30 and November 29 to develop projects on Africa-EU cooperation with concrete deliverables. These will be presented to the EU-Africa Summit on November 30-31, also in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which is itself, focused on youth. The initiative is still to be confirmed – expected to be finalised by 12 July – more details to follow.

Criteria for participation:

• Availability to dedicate significant time and energy to the initiative (for a period of around 6 weeks in October and November)
• Regular internet access for distance participation
• Preference for experience cooperating in international and multicultural teams

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 4th Africa – Europe Youth Summit for Young Leaders