The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Professor Eddy Maloka, has assured the youth of empowerment, leadership, and role model status. At the 3rd African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Youth Conference in Uganda, on the theme, "Repositioning the Youth Agenda for a Transformative Continent."
The conference was staged by the government of Uganda, in partnership with the APRM Continental Secretariat, at the Speke Resort and Conference Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda.
The youth conference brings together youth from across the continent. Discussions were around innovative approaches to sustainable youth employment, youth and governance, the role of the youth in the transfer of science, technology, and innovation, the role of the youth in combatting climate change, and the promotion of green growth.
Thematic discussion captures areas including sexual reproductive health and rights; food and income security and peace; digital transformation; youth in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); development finance for the youth; and the role of the youth in domestic resource mobilization.
The Chief Executive Officer of APRM (APRM), Professor Eddy Maloka, said at the APRM continental Secretariat that they work with the support of member states to empower youth and bring them closer to decision-making tables.
The CEO, who himself grew up in student and youth politics in South Africa during the country’s struggle against apartheid, said African youth occupied an essential place in the APRM’s philosophy and methodology because, according to him, without youth, the Continental office’s efforts in strengthening democracy and good governance would be without the heartbeats and energy required in executing it.
The CEO recognizes the primary mandate on youth affairs in the African Union, which rests with colleagues in the AU’s headquarters in Addis Ababa. He said their focus is "to ensure that youth are present actively in APRM reviews and that their issues receive the attention they deserve in all review reports and recommendations."
Professor Eddy Maloka revealed that, at the international level, there is a youth desk, which they are looking forward to replicating at the continental level that will see youth as a constituency. He said while the continental secretariat will be working with the support of member states to empower youth, thereby bringing them closer to the decision-making table in the APRM, they expect that the national structure should ensure the youth issues are sustained.
The CEO emphasized the role of the APRM Continental Secretariat human resources in ensuring they deliberately target young people, making it one of the most youth-led organs.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Professor Eddy Maloka
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