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AFRICAN YOUTH UNION
FOURTH ANNUAL SUMMIT PAPER
THEME: REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF AFRICA AND
A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE YOUTH
DATE: July 18-19 2015 (Nelson Mandela Day)
SUMMIT VENUE: HOTEL AFRICANA
HOST COUNTRY: UGANDA
CONTACT: IRISNXUMALO@AYU.ORG.ZA
or
TIM@AYU.ORG.ZA

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AYU 4
TH
ANNUAL SUMMIT 18-19 JULY 2015, UGANDA
Theme: REGIONAL INTEGERATION OF AFRICA AND A PERSPECTIVE
OF THE YOUTH
A. AFRICAN YOUTH UNION (AYU) MANDATE
The African Youth Union (AYU) is a Pan-African youth organisation that
boasts the largest youth representation in Africa. The AYU seeks to bridge the
gap between the youth and government, and acts as a conduit between the
youth and regional bodies such as the African Union, Southern African
Development Community, Economic Community of West African States and
the East African Community, amongst others.
The AYU is mandated to lobby African governments for the implementation of
youth centred policies such as the African Youth Charter. These policies seek
to promote and support entrepreneurship amongst the youth, promote
democracy and good governance through ethical leadership, encourage the
mentoring and coaching of young African leaders; prioritise youth policy
based research and to preserve Africa’s natural resources through the AYU
Green Campaign. The AYU seeks to supplement these state-level processes
by deepening the continent’s integration through a bottom-up process, that
places the people (and youth of Africa) at the centre of regional integration
and Pan-Africanism through social entrepreneurship, hosting summits and
events, encouraging collaboration between non-profit organisations, youth
leadership training and development.
Initially AYU was focused on solely lobbying African governments to
implement youth policies. The organisation conducted several research
initiatives that disclosed how many African governments have weak youth
policies, while others barely have "real" youth policies and most countries
never implement what they have.
The union also found that youth have no active role in the running of their
countries. Youth are only involved in ceremonial activities which barely make
a difference in their lives and their communities.

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In 2013, AYU advised African governments and regional bodies to refrain
from the tradition of only involving youth in side events and selective
representation. We recommended that youth should actively participate in the
political, social and economic policies and development of their countries, as
well as in themselves as individuals.
The Pretoria resolution that was unanimously passed by African Youth during
the 3rd summit of the African Youth Union. The resolution resolved that all
youth should engage in action oriented Pan-Africanism. As a result, a shift
from sole policy work was adjusted to involving community based work.
Vision
To make African Youth active and productive citizens who can contribute to a
unified, peaceful and prosperous Africa.
Mission
To empower young Africans to be the architects of the future, and to be actual
players in the political, social and economic development of Africa
Objectives
1. To promote active youth participation at national, regional and international
level.
2. To promote and protect African Youth rights in accordance with the African
Youth Charter.
3. To protect, save and conserve Africa's natural resources.
4. To promote research in all fields at all levels.
5. To address and promote channels of discussing and articulating
socioeconomic issues that inhibit the capacity of the youth.
5.1 To focus specifically on the search for universal access to quality
education, matching skills to the labour market, stunting jobless growth,

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and encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurship as a means to counter
youth unemployment.
5.2 To focus on social issues such as teenage pregnancy, illegal abortions,
early marriages, child headed households, gender based violence and
discrimination, and substance abuse.
B. BACKGROUND
African Youth Charter defines a youth as person between the ages of 15 and
35 years. According to the African Union, about 65% of the total population of
Africa is below the age of 35, and over 35% are between the ages of 15 and
35 years - making Africa the most youthful continent. About 10 million young
African youth enter the labor market each year.
The African Union envisions and strives for a political agenda that prioritizes
the economic, social, cultural and political integration of the continent, in order
to usher in a prosperous Africa that is at peace with itself and its partners.
Clearly an emergent and integrated Africa can only be fully realized if the
continent takes advantage of its human resources, which is mostly
characterized by a large population of youth. This population of youth can be
mobilized and equipped to drive Africa's integration, peace and development
agenda. This vision emanates from the belief and conviction that a strong and
accountable leadership and successful integration needs to be anchored on
participation of the key segment of the population of which the youth are an
essential component.
Against the foregoing and in light of the great potential, dynamism,
resourcefulness, resiliency, and aspiration of African youth, the continent
continues to face daunting challenges of maximizing benefits from this critical
social capital by adequately investing in its growth and enrichment as an
example .
The African population is estimated to be more than 1 billion people of whom

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60% are youth. The greater proportion of youth does not have the opportunity
to fully develop their potential and contribute effectively to the realization of
the declared Vision and the Mission of Africa's leaders.
Consequently the majority of African youth continue to face unemployment;
underemployment; lack of skills; relevant education; access to health-related
information and services including those related to diagnosis; treatment, and
care of those living with HIV, and above all prevention of new HIV infections.
Along with other groups such as women and the disabled, the youth bear the
brunt of internal and external crisis, be it those related to financial, food and
energy crises or others. In addition, many disadvantaged youth are innocently
conscripted into armed struggles, used to settle political scores and are
exposed to various negative media that erodes their positive heritage, leading
them to delinquency, drug abuse, and other risky behavior.
Furthermore, most youth that migrate to foreign countries or even within the
continent are challenged by exploitation in the quest for greener pastures.
C. YOUTH AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF AFRICA
“It is not enough to speak, write and
Disseminate a content and planned strategy to improve the development of the
African continent and its people. It is not enough to involve the youth in the process.
It is important and non-negotiable to ensure meaningful participation of all segments
of African citizens in the implementation of the agenda 2063”.
Dr. Nkosazana Zuma, AUC Chairperson
D. UGANDA AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF AFRICA
Uganda, as a Member State of the AU and committed to the African Youth
Charter, is working diligently to fulfill its national and regional responsibilities
in achieving the regional integration of Africa.
Uganda under President Museveni has been a driving force in the past years
in championing the regional integration of Africa and is akey roleplayer in
leading Africa to its desired destination.

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The debate on the regional integration of Africa is mainly held at top-level,
while locally, the people who are impacted by these processes are barely
consulted or involved in decision-making.
E. AFRICAN YOUTH UNION (AYU) AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION OF
AFRICA
AYU is the only independent functional regional youth body that strives to
unify the youth across the continent. We see integration as one of the
cornerstones to the fundamental development of Africa. The AYU seeks to
contribute to the prioritization of regional integration by firmly placing it on the
agenda of the youth.
Uganda was selected as the host for this year’s summit as a result of its rich
endowment of young people and its desire to further regional integration. The
AYU believes that the cooperation of youth across the continent is central to
the realization of Africa’s integration.
F. SUMMIT OBJECTIVES
i. To facilitate a process that strengthens effective youth participation in
the decision-making surrounding the regional integration of Africa.
ii. To facilitate effective partnerships with youth and youth organizations in
the implementation of agenda 2063 and the regional integration of
Africa.
iii. To create an inclusive platform involving youth that enables them to
review the progress of regional integration, share ideas and
experiences, and innovative approaches that effectively contribute to
regional integration and Agenda 2063 and its implementation.
iv. To establish a follow-up mechanism that supports young people as
partners in the process of regional integration and implementation of
Agenda 2063
G. AFRICAN YOUTH UNION (AYU) PROCESS
AYU will take measures to ensure that the forthcoming AYU summit is not just

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a one-off event on regional integration and youth. We firmly believe that, in
order to make an impact in our partnership with the youth, we need to invest
in a youth-centered preparatory process leading up to the summit and most
importantly a commitment to a follow-up phase in order to assess the
progress of regional integration and the implementation of Agenda 2063.
The following is a brief description of the proposed three phases:
1. Youth-Centered Preparatory Processes
The preparatory campaigns will be hosted in at least 10 African countries.
It is envisaged that this process will support youth led processes in the
regional integration of Africa, enabling effective participation of the youth in
contributing to key sessions that will shape the road map to integration and
realization of Agenda 2063. It will be vital to work closely with governments,
the AU, youth organizations, and other stakeholders that are supporting
young women and young men to effectively engage in discussions related to
the above. The preparatory process will cover various states and work with
ongoing regional processes that are shaping Africa’s regional integration.
We ask governments and key actors to join us in this preparatory process.
The main goal is to support young people as capable partners in the regional
integration of Africa and to enable the dissemination of their ideas, roles and
contributions.
2. African Youth Union 4
th
Annual Summit 2015
The summit will allow for joint reflection, consolidation of experiences from the
preparatory processes and also act as a spring-board for strengthening the
partnership between the youth in an attempt to deepen regional integration of
Africa and Agenda 2063.
3. Youth-Centered Follow -Up Process
Past lessons clearly show that lack of investment in follow-up can derail the
work, enthusiasm and energy required to reach the next significant milestone.
We strongly encourage the participation of all stakeholders in the follow-up
phase to ensure that the youth become strong partners in the consolidation of
Africa’s integration of Agenda 2063.

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H. AFRICAN YOUTH UNION COMMITMENT
AYU is committed to facilitating and leading the organization and execution of
projects that seek to strengthen the role of the youth in African society. AYU
also seeks to create a platform for the deepening of bottom-up processes to
regional integration both prior to and after 2015. The AYU also commits to the
establishment of a follow-up plan and mechanism.
AYU is willing to take the responsibility of organizing the groundwork for the
regional process with regional ownership, which will enable young people to
contribute to the decision making processes for Africa’s regional integration.
I. PARTNERSHIPS
African Youth Union would like to invite all governments, regional bodies,
youth organizations and all concerned parties in Africa to support this
pioneering process.
We seek advice from the governments of Uganda and South Africa, the AU
and Youth Organizations as well as other stakeholders to make this a truly
youth centered experience.
J. SUMMIT PARTICIPANTS
The summit shall be attended by at least 300 young people across Africa and
50 young people from the diaspora. The total number of participants including
guests is expected to be 400.
K. GUEST OF HONOR
His Excellency President Y.K. Museveni, the President of the Republic of
Uganda, will officially open the summit. Other guests will include: government
officials from different African governments, AU officials, diplomats, senior
researchers, academicians and the Advisory Council/Board of Directors of the
African Youth Union.

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L. SUMMIT DATES AND VENUE
The summit shall be held on Nelson Mandela Day (18 and 19 of July 2015)
but will be preceded by a meeting of AYU national coordinators and the
International Executive Council (IEC) on 17 May 2015.The summit shall be
held at Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda.
The summit will also be preceded by preparatory activities in different African
countries that will include: Ghana, Cameroon, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania,
Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.
M. SPONSORSHIP
The sponsors of the 4
th
annual summit shall be displayed on our promotional
summit material and publications, website and special mentions during the
summit. The sponsors are welcome to provide help in the following areas:
o Sponsoring delegates who cannot afford to attend (buying them air
tickets and providing accommodation)
o Hosting fundraising dinners and events
o Overall event logistics
To those willing to join us by supporting our activities and sponsoring the
summit, please contact Tim at: tim@ayu.org.za . You are also welcome to
donate towards our organization’s programs.
N. THE NECESSITY OF THE 4TH
ANNUAL SUMMIT
I. The 4
th
annual summit is going to be the first ever meeting to bring
together youth from across Africa and the diaspora to discuss and put
in place an action plan for realizing regional integration.
II. The meeting is not a “talk show” but an extraordinary convention that will
hopefully adopt a historic roadmap to realizing Agenda 2063 and the
integration of Africa by the youth of Africa.
III. The 4th annual summit is not a once off event; it has pre- and post-
action oriented activities with practical and achievable aims.
IV. The 4th annual summit is the first summit to be held after the Pretoria
resolution of promoting and engaging inaction oriented Pan-Africanism.

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V. The summit will be preceded with participatory events and activities
across Africa which will include:
i. A regional campaign in at least 12 African countries, which will
include but not limited to: Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Burundi,
Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa
and Uganda.
ii. Outreach programs in high schools, high institutions of learning and
communities
iii. Consultative meetings
iv. Seminars and workshops
v. Multi-stakeholders’ dialogue
vi. Participatory brainstorming sessions
O. TO THIS END, THE SUMMIT WILL FACILITATE THE FOLLOWING
PLENARY DISCUSSIONS:
1. African Youth Leadership
The summit will allow for a joint reflection and consolidation of the youth’s
participation in national affairs and explore the ability of the youth to influence
decision-making in the community, state and continent. Particular attention
will be paid to the role of social entrepreneurship as a tool for social
transformation informed by an ethos of service and selflessness.
This is followed by a discussion on African education, and the role that African
scholarship can play in advancing research and addressing the plight of the
youth. A particular emphasis will be placed on addressing the socio-economic
challenges that inhibit the capacity of the youth.
2. Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance
The summit will explore the extent to which Pan-Africanism and African
Renaissance can be utilized as tools to advance the human condition by
developing thought leaders that are capable of producing African solutions to
African problems.

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The state of regional integration will be assessed, with a view of proposing
avenues in which the youth can spur a bottom-up approach to regional
integration. Emphasis will be placed on establishing cooperation between
African states (and delegates) and looking inward in order to maximize human
capacity.
3. African Youth Charter and Agenda 2063
The summit will address the manner in which the African Youth Charter can
be utilized as a mechanism to pursue the political, economic, social and
cultural development of the youth and to incorporate the youth into all spheres
of civic life.
The delegates will then deliberate on the role of Agenda 2063 in enabling the
youth to lobby government and RECs to realize the African Charter. A focal
point of this deliberation is a discussion on African Identity and Renaissance,
the struggle against colonialism and the right of self-determination, regional
integration, social and economic development, peace and security,
democratic governance, exploring Africa’s destiny and Africa’s place in the
world.
Ultimately, the summit will provide a platform for the discussion of the central
role of art and literature in disseminating African stories and raising
awareness about African cultures, values and indigenous knowledge.
4. Political, social and economic integration: Youth as a centre of
change
The summit will avail opportunities to young people to discuss practical ways
of actively contributing to the political, social and economic integration of
Africa. The resolutions will also aid policy makers and other stakeholders in
formulating effective policies.