The Pan-African Parliament Youth Caucus is gearing up to play a more prominent role in advancing good governance in Africa by advocating for increased youth participation in African Parliaments. This initiative comes as the Youth Caucus convenes on the sidelines of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Second Ordinary Session, currently taking place in Midrand, South Africa. The session aligns with the African Union’s designated theme for 2023, “The Year of AfCFTA: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.” The Youth Caucus meeting commenced on May 19, 2023, and will continue until June 2, 2023.
A focal point of the Youth Caucus gathering was a high-level dialogue centered on the theme “The promotion of good governance through the elimination of hunger and malnutrition: Enhancing the role of young Parliamentarians and youth in Africa’s Legislature.” The discussions aimed to generate strategies and ideas to foster good governance while simultaneously addressing issues such as hunger and malnutrition. The outcomes of this dialogue are anticipated to be presented before the Plenary, providing a valuable platform for youth voices to be heard and integrated into parliamentary deliberations.
Honorable Laila Dahi, Chairperson of the Youth Caucus, expressed her appreciation for the constructive outcomes of the meeting, emphasizing its significance in addressing the concerns and aspirations of the African youth. With a substantial youth population across the continent, the development and empowerment of young people in Africa were central themes during the discussions.
The meeting yielded several key recommendations that could pave the way for tangible progress. Notably, it called for the involvement of young Parliamentarians in multi-sectoral approaches to transform food and nutrition systems in a sustainable manner, ultimately facilitating access to healthier diets. Furthermore, member states were urged to formulate and prioritize national strategies that allocate more resources to youth investment, with particular attention to combating hunger and malnutrition in all its forms throughout Africa.
The Pan-African Parliament Youth Caucus’s intensified involvement in promoting good governance in Africa signifies a crucial step toward inclusive decision-making and the recognition of youth as valuable contributors to policy formulation and implementation. By amplifying the voices of young parliamentarians and engaging them in critical issues, the Youth Caucus endeavors to foster a more democratic, inclusive, and prosperous future for Africa. As the Sixth PAP Second Ordinary Session continues, the outcomes of the Youth Caucus meeting are poised to make a significant impact on shaping Africa’s legislative landscape and promoting the welfare of its youth population.
