Pretoria – Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Luwellyn Landers, says the vision outlined in the AU Agenda 2063 can only be achieved through involving African youth.
The African Union (AU) describes Agenda 2063 as a global strategy to optimise the use of Africa's resources for the benefit of all Africans.
Addressing the South African Youth Consultative Conference on the AU Agenda, Deputy Minister Landers said young people are the main players in the development of the continent.
“It is only by harnessing the energy and dynamism of our young people that we will achieve our objective of an Africa that is flourishing and at peace with itself.
“For these reasons, we seek a firm commitment from young people, both in our country and throughout the continent, to the vision of a prosperous and peaceful Africa by 2063,” the deputy minister said.
The African Union turned 50 last year and as part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union adopted a Solemn Declaration during their 21st Ordinary Session in May 2013.
In the declaration, which the South African government played an important role in producing, the assembly rededicated leaders to the continent’s accelerated development and technological progress.
The declaration charged African people with working towards defining the development agenda for the next 50 years. They agreed that this should be done in a manner that is people-centred and people-driven.
The declaration, among other things, seeks to ensure that Africa occupies its rightful place within the family of nations, writes its own narrative and determines its own destiny.
African leaders pledged to align these ideals and goals with their respective national development plans in the development of the Continental Agenda 2063.
Through the declaration, African leaders committed to use their authority and influence to act together with their people and the African diaspora to realise the vision of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance.
By this commitment, Deputy Minster Landers said Africa has set itself on a path to renewal and the creation of a better life for the people.
Inputs from South African youth
The purpose of the youth conference is to get input from South African youth on what should constitute Agenda 2063.
“Our objective is to draw out the key issues and proposals that the youth of our country perceive as critical for Agenda 2063 to succeed. Your [youth] input into this agenda is highly sought and appreciated,” Deputy Minster Landers said.
He said the agenda should be about the improvement of the lives of the African People and an African continent that is self-reliant, self-sustaining and at peace with itself and the world around it.
The South African consultative process marks the start of preparations for the country’s input into the AU process. The consultation will be followed by other similar consultations with academia, business, women, civil-society and the cultural sector. – SAnews.gov.za
