SA participates at the 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the AU Ministers of Youth

12 September 2012

Minister in The Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane will represent South Africa at the 4th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the African Union (AU) Ministers in of Youth Affairs in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.

The Conference takes place from Wednesday 12th till Friday 14th of September 2012, is expected to be attended by African Union Ministers responsible for Youth Affairs, senior government officials and young people. Minister Chabane will be attending the conference in his capacity as Minister responsible for youth development in South Africa.

The conference is being held under the theme “Africa delivers as one for youth development”.

The gathering will seek to endorse mechanisms through which the AU Commission and all stakeholders can effectively promote, support and report on the achievements and impacts on youth development in Africa.  It will also focus on increasing synergy, coordination, tracking of progress and promote capacity in the domain of youth development and research for evidence based interventions. It is further expected to focus on Achieving Minimum Common Standards on Youth development in Africa.

The conference will further seek to give effect to the 2011 Malabo Summit held under the theme “Accelerating youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development in Africa.” This Ministerial conference will in particular, focus on the role of the Regional Executive Councils and Member States to firstly achieve the annual target of 2% reduction in youth unemployment rates and under-employment. Secondly, to enforce accountability at all levels of youth rights and thirdly increase investment and domestic resources on youth empowerment and development while reinforcing donor coordination and alignment with the African programmes.

The outcome of the conference will feed into the 20th Assembly of the African Union and will inform the strategic focus on youth for the next African Union Commission Strategic Plan 2012-2017.

Minister Chabane is accompanied by senior officials from the Presidency and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the South African Youth Council (SAYC).

Enquiries: Harold Maloka, Spokesperson for Minister in The Presidency for Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration @ 082 847 9799 or harold@po.gov.za or maloka.harold@gmail.com

Issued by: The Presidency