Report: The African Union Youth Day 2014 – Delivering on the potential of Africa’s Young Women

The African Union Youth Day  was held between October 31st 2014 to November 1st 2014 at the African Union Commission Headquarters Building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I was selected as one of the Young Change Agent(s) within the continent to mark the day and to partake in the youth consultation geared towards drafting a roadmap for a yearlong programme.

The African Youth Day (AYD) is a day set aside every year to promote the increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development in all facets of African society. It is an occasion to celebrate the youth on the continent, opportunity to contribute and channel youth motivation, energy and creativity towards the achievement.

The Theme of the African Youth Day 2014 was: Delivering on the potential of Africa’s Young Women. The Theme is a prelude to the African Union 2015 summit Theme: “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063″

We were divide into five groups according to thematic areas for an in-depth brainstorming and analysis to further propose a yearlong calendar. The Thematic areas are:

• Sustainable Agriculture for socio-economic Development
• Young Women as Agents of peace and democratic governance
• Promoting sustainable livelihood through employment and Entrepreneurship
• Young Women Health
• Keeping girls in school beyond primary level

We had a fruitful deliberation in our individual groups and we all proposed a yearlong roadmap around the dedicated theme.

African Youth Day 2014 – Lanre Dahunsi

One of the highlights of the African Youth Day 2014 was the presentation of Certificate and presentation of the Essay organized by the African Union Commission. The first prize winner was Jacqueline Kaija of Uganda.

I was super elated when I discovered that the First Prize Winner of the African Union Youth Day Essay Competition said that she discovered the Essay Contest on the opportunitiesforafricans.com portal.

Visiting Ethiopia, the African Union Commission Building Headquarters was a very inspiring experience, meeting young change agents from around the  continent from Algeria to Rwanda, Zimbabwe to Chad, Lesotho to Malawi was invigorating and thought provoking.

 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

 

Thanks to the African Union Commission for the opportunity, fellow delegates and to you all, thanks for the opportunity to make a difference through this portal.

Best Regards, All the Best…Yes We Can

Lanre Dahunsi
Team Lead,Opportunitiesforafricans.com