In one of it’s numerous, incredible and indescribable works across Africa as one of African Union Commission’s most effective organ, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) participated at the workshop on development of the Country Acceleration Strategy (CAS) for the implementation of the African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE). The CAS seeks to fast track the implementation of APAYE in AU Member States. The workshop which was held at the African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 16th to 20th of September 2019 was attended by representatives of the AUC Technical Bureau of Specialized Technical Committee – Youth, Culture and Sports namely Algeria, Eswatini, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia and key stakeholders from the AU organs.

In the context of the African Union, member states who have not acceded to African Youth Charter were encouraged to join, ratify and domesticate the continental instrument. The AYC is the continental legal instrument for youth development.

To give effect to implementation of the AYC, the AU Youth Decade Plan of Action (DPoA) was developed and served as an implementation mechanism for youth programming. Consequently, Agenda 2063 then called for development of APAYE, a five-year continental plan of action to accelerate development and empowerment of the youth.

Importantly, APAYE influences the efforts and contributions of key partners and stakeholders engaged in youth empowerment on the continent. It builds on the achievements and lessons of the AU Youth Decade Plan of Action (DPoA).

The workshop was convened to develop country acceleration strategy to provide for implementation of flagship programmes that can be scaled up and is further aimed at ensuring that countries’ commitment and contribution to the AU’s initiative of reaching 1 million youth by 2021 is achieved.

Mr. Lennon Monyae, APRM Youth Liaison Officer, represented the APRM Continental Secretariat at the workshop and took the opportunity to discuss APRM’s role in the implementation of APAYE and strengthening of the working relationship between the APRM and the AUC Youth Division.

“with all the efforts the APRM has employed with regards to youth participation in good governance, it is critical not to reinvent the wheel but rather to join efforts with like-minded actors”, said Mr. Monyae.

Following the hosting of the APRM’s inaugural International Youth Symposiumon 1-2 July 2019, in N’djamena, Chad, under the theme “The Youth as APRM driving force for good governance in Africa” and the subsequent adoption of the Declaration of the 1st APRM International Youth Symposium, the APRM has been called to play a central role in promoting Member States of the AU to implement the African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE).

The AUC Youth Division led by Ms. Prudence Ngwenya (Human Resource and Youth Development at African Union Commission, requested the APRM to continue supporting the 1 Million by 2021 initiative launched by the AUC in April 2019.

Importantly, the AUC Youth Division requested the APRM to co-host a workshop and youth event with governance stakeholders at the AUC Headquarters in the month of October 2019. The meeting is envisioned to bring together the AU Youth Envoy and her advisory council, representatives of the interim APRM Youth Network, youth representatives of AU organs and key youth formations on the continent to discuss youth development programming in Africa and AU youth mainstreaming policies, youth-led accountability and peer learning, and finalisation of AUC Youth Division and APRM partnership.