Dakar, Senegal – The Africa Youth Trust (AYT) has endorsed several key recommendations at the three-day Pan-African Parliament Forum held in Dakar, Senegal. The forum, which aims to foster Pan-African synergies for justice and reparations, also focused on enhancing youth participation in the African Union’s Pan-African Parliament.
Held from December 5 to 8, 2024, the forum brought together media practitioners, youth groups, organizations, and key stakeholders from over 15 African countries to advocate for the interests of African youth within the AU’s Pan-African Parliament.
The Africa Youth Trust, a youth-led development and advocacy organization founded in 2003, exists to harness the productive energy of African youth and influence national and regional youth policies.
Presenting the resolution, AYT Head of Programmes, Irma Maringo, emphasized the importance of promoting youth-focused legislative agendas. She outlined the need for legislative actions addressing issues such as education, employment, mental health, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion at the AU Pan-African Parliament.
Ms. Maringo stressed the importance of enhancing digital engagement platforms to boost youth participation. She called for the development and expansion of digital platforms and online forums to enable young people across Africa to engage with lawmakers, share ideas, and participate in legislative processes.
“Digital engagement would allow youth from all regions, especially those in remote or underserved areas, to contribute to discussions and have their voices heard,” Maringo explained, adding that online petitions, social media campaigns, and virtual consultations with parliamentarians could play vital roles in this effort.
She also highlighted the necessity of investing in youth leadership training and capacity-building programs to enhance their understanding of parliamentary processes, governance, and policymaking. “Equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to engage effectively in policy discussions will empower them to be better advocates for their causes,” she noted. Initiatives such as workshops, mentorship programs, and partnerships with educational institutions were proposed to build a strong pipeline of young leaders.
Ms. Maringo called for stronger partnerships between the AU Pan-African Parliament and youth-led organizations to collaborate on initiatives addressing youth-related issues. “By working with established youth organizations, the PAP can tap into grassroots movements, ensuring that policies reflect the realities faced by young people on the ground. This collaboration will also amplify youth voices, increasing the legitimacy and reach of youth-led advocacy efforts,” she said.
AYT also recommended providing support for youth-led research and advocacy to enable young people to contribute evidence-based solutions to the issues they face. Ms. Maringo pointed out that youth-led initiatives could significantly shape legislative agendas in favor of African youth.
The trust further called for the promotion of civic education and awareness campaigns to empower young people to become more involved in political processes, understand their rights, and engage with the AU Pan-African Parliament.
AYT also urged the AU to introduce youth quotas or reserved seats in the Pan-African Parliament to guarantee youth representation at all levels of decision-making. “This would ensure that youth have a direct role in shaping laws and policies that affect them,” Maringo stated.
Additionally, she advocated for fostering intergenerational dialogue between young people and experienced parliamentarians. Such interactions, she said, could bridge gaps, facilitate mentorship, and promote collaboration on key issues.
“By adopting these recommendations, the AU Pan-African Parliament can enhance youth engagement in the political process, empower young people to become active participants in governance, and address the challenges they face across the continent,” Ms. Maringo concluded.
She emphasized that youth representation, participation, and policy advocacy are essential for creating a future that reflects the aspirations and needs of Africa’s young population. “These steps would contribute significantly to fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking Africa,” she added.
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