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| Youth Forum of the African Union | |
|---|---|
| Name | Youth Forum of the African Union |
| Formation | 2009 |
| Founder | African Union |
| Type | Advisory body |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa |
| Region served | Africa |
| Membership | Youth delegates from African Union Commission member states |
| Leader title | President |
Youth Forum of the African Union is a continental youth consultative assembly linked to the African Union and the African Union Commission. It convenes youth delegates, representatives of youth-led organizations, and stakeholders from across Africa to advise on policy, participate in summit processes, and advocate within continental frameworks. The Forum aligns with instruments such as the African Youth Charter, the Agenda 2063 vision, and the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps initiatives.
The Forum originated from decisions made at African Union Summit sessions and technical meetings involving the African Union Commission, the African Union Development Agency (formerly NEPAD), and youth networks such as Pan-African Youth Union and African Youth Movement. Early milestones included preparatory conferences held in Addis Ababa and regional consultations coordinated with institutions like Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa delegations, and civil society platforms including African Youth Initiative on Climate Change. The Forum's evolution paralleled continental policy developments like the adoption of the African Youth Charter by the African Union Heads of State and linkages with initiatives such as Agenda 2063 and the AU-EU Summit dialogues. Influential actors in formation and reform processes included delegations from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, and transnational bodies like African Development Bank, United Nations Youth Delegate Programme, and the Commonwealth Youth Council.
The Forum's mandate derives from resolutions endorsed by the African Union Executive Council and the Assembly of the African Union, aligning with the African Youth Charter and mandates given to the African Union Commission. Core objectives include advising on continental policy instruments such as Agenda 2063, contributing to frameworks developed by African Development Bank, promoting participation consistent with Sustainable Development Goals agendas discussed at United Nations General Assembly sessions, and supporting initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area by mobilizing youth entrepreneurship networks. The Forum also seeks to liaise with bodies including the African Peer Review Mechanism, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and agencies such as UNICEF, UNDP, and ILO to mainstream youth perspectives.
The Forum's structure includes representative delegations from member states of the African Union and stakeholder seats for organizations like the Pan-African Youth Union, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change, Global Youth Mobilization, and regional blocs such as Economic Community of West African States, East African Community, Southern African Development Community, and Economic Community of Central African States. Leadership roles—President, Vice-President, Secretariat—coordinate with the African Union Commission Directorates and with partners like the African Development Bank and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Membership criteria reference instruments endorsed by the Assembly of the African Union and align with legal frameworks such as the African Youth Charter and national delegations from capitals including Accra, Nairobi, Lagos, and Addis Ababa. Observers have included delegations from European Union External Action Service, United Nations Youth Envoy, and multilateral funds such as the Green Climate Fund.
The Forum organizes continental youth summits timed with African Union Summit sessions, thematic workshops on issues referenced in statements from bodies like the African Peer Review Mechanism, capacity-building programs in partnership with African Development Bank and United Nations Development Programme, and campaigns coordinated with networks such as Pan-African Youth Union and African Youth Initiative on Climate Change. Programmatic areas span entrepreneurship linked to African Continental Free Trade Area opportunities, civic engagement in processes of the African Human Rights Commission, health initiatives aligning with World Health Organization and UNAIDS, and peacebuilding activities tied to African Standby Force dialogues. The Forum also facilitates internships and volunteer placements with institutions including the African Union Commission Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Affairs, the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps, and academic partners such as the University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, and Makerere University.
The Forum collaborates with continental and international partners: African Union Commission, African Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, European Union External Action Service, Commonwealth Secretariat, African Caribbean Pacific Group of States, and philanthropic organizations. It engages with regional economic communities like Economic Community of West African States, East African Community, and Southern African Development Community and networks such as Pan-African Youth Union, African Youth Movement, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change, Global Fund, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-backed programs. Collaborative projects have included partnerships with academic institutions (Addis Ababa University, University of Ibadan), private sector actors including African Private Sector Forum, and multilateral funds such as the Green Climate Fund and Global Partnership for Education.
The Forum has influenced policy dialogues at African Union Summit and contributed youth inputs to the African Youth Charter implementation reviews and Agenda 2063 progress reporting. It has catalyzed initiatives linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area youth entrepreneurship platforms and produced delegates who later assumed roles in national ministries and multilateral institutions such as the African Development Bank and United Nations. Criticisms have targeted tokenistic participation noted by scholars and civil society organizations, uneven representation across member states including disparities between delegations from Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia and smaller states, and dependence on donor funding from actors like the European Union and international NGOs. Observers have recommended reforms modeled on accountability mechanisms used by the African Peer Review Mechanism and transparency standards promoted by institutions such as the Open Government Partnership and Transparency International.
Category:African Union institutions