African Governance Architecture Youth Engagement Strategy on Democracy, Elections and Governance

Presentation Outline Brief on the AGA Rationale for AGA-YES Development Process AGA – YES (Objectives, Target Groups, Approaches and Strategies, Outcome Areas) AGA-YES Flagship Programmes Critical Success Factors 2

African Governance Architecture (AGA) 3 1.In order to give effect to the Assembly decision on the Establishment of the Pan- African Governance Architecture, the African Union Commission (AUC) established AGA as a “platform for dialogue between the various stakeholders” who are mandated to promote good governance and strengthen democracy in Africa, in addition to translating the objectives of the legal and policy pronouncements in the AU Shared Values". 2.The principle objective of AGA is guided by the Declaration of the 16th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union adopted in 2011 to create a framework for dialogue among stakeholders with an ultimate aim of harmonisation of AU Shared Values instruments and coordination of initiatives towards promoting good governance and consolidating democracy on the continent.

4 AGA Platform 1.AU Peace and Security Council 2.AU Commission 3.African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights 4.African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 5.Pan-African Parliament 6.African Peer Review Mechanism 7.Economic, Social and Cultural Council 8.AU Advisory Board on Corruption 9.African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 10.African Union Commission on International Law 11.NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency 12.Regional Economic Communities- ECOWAS; SADC; EAC; ECCAS; IGAD; CENSAD, COMESA

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Rationale for AGA-YES 1.Demographic strength: 65% below 35years – With Requisite Skills, Huge Resource for transformative development 2.Burst of Energy, creativity and innovation – IT Hubs in Kenya, Nollywood in Nigeria, Youth Entrepreneurs in South Africa etc 3.Sustainability and scale up of modest achievements in consolidation of democracy, economic boom etc 4.Increasing expression (frustration) that must be harnessed – Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Burundi 5.Exercising Leadership: Increasing Awareness leading to Innovative and Participatory Engagement Programmes: YouthLabSA, BudgIT, ParliamentWatch, CurateZAR, Citoyen, YIAGA/Amplified, INFONET 6.Citizens engagement, ownership, participation and inclusion – social media/ access to information 7.Long term visioning, implementation and resource mobilisation- Agenda

Mandates supporting AGA-YES AU Vision: Integrated, prosperous & peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens & representing a dynamic force in the global arena; Agenda 2063 Aspirations: 1.A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development 2.An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance 3.An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law 4.A peaceful and secure Africa 5.An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics 6.An Africa where development is people-driven, unleashing the potential of its women and youth 7. Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner 7

8 Mandates supporting AGA-YES Continued African Union Shared Values Instruments: African Youth Charter, African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Decade Plan of Action The AUC Strategic Plan Common African Position on Post 2015 Development African Union Agenda 2063; 10 year Implementation Plan

9 Development Process Youth Consultation on Constitutionalism and Rule of Law 2.Survey on youth perception of African Union Democracy, Elections and Governance initiatives 3.Desk Development of Draft Strategy Youth Consultation on Silencing the Guns: Review of Draft 5.Intergenerational Dialogue/Youth Experts Workshop - Development of Implementation Plan 6.Finalisation workshop and synchronisation with the review of the Decade Plan of Action (Governance Component)

10 What is the AGA - YES The strategy provides a framework for effective engagement of Africa’s young women and men in democratic governance processes to strengthen efforts towards the achievement of transparent and accountable governance, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution in Africa

11 Specific Objectives 1.To develop a youth oriented agenda for the promotion of African Shared Values (AU Norms and Standards) on democratic governance; 2.To facilitate qualitative youth engagement in the attainment of improved democratic governance and respect for human and peoples’ rights at the national, regional and continental levels 3.To improve the inclusion of African youth and their views into African Union dialogues and initiatives on democratic trends in Africa; 4.To encourage research and sharing of comparable lessons and knowledge on the trends, challenges and opportunities for youth engagement in democratic governance; 5.To enhance the capacity of AU organs, institutions and RECs to support Member States to engage young people in programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening governance and consolidating democracy; and 6.To foster dialogue and engagement within the youth population in order to facilitate communication, the sharing of lessons learned and supporting youth in their efforts to build good governance in their Member States.

12 Target Groups: AU Youth Age (18 – 35yrs) 1.Member States Youth in Cabinet, Parliament, Civil Service, Political Parties, MDAs in local, regional and Federal Government levels 2.Civil Society Civic Groups, Thematic Democratic Governance Organisations (Elections, Human Rights, Transparency and Accountability, Human Rights and Transitional Justice etc), Media, Innovation Hubs at National, Regional and Continental levels. 3.Policy Makers Ministries, Commissions & Agencies for Youth, RECs, AU Organs and Institutions etc

13 Our Approach and Strategies “By youth, for youth” projects and programs Regular consultations and dialogue Capacity building Knowledge and data generation Information sharing and feedback Strategic partnerships and alliances Policy formulation

14 Outcome Areas Overall Goal: Increased participation of young people in democratic governance processes in Africa Outcome 1: Increased awareness among youth about African Shared Values (norms and standards) on democratic governance Outcome 2: Enhanced capacity of youth and youth-led organisations to effectively engage with AU organs, institutions and RECs in the promotion of democratic governance Outcome 3: Platform for dialogue and sharing of comparable lessons on youth specific trends, challenges and prospects for improved governance and democracy among Member States created and institutionalized. Outcome 4: Youth specific knowledge on good governance and democracy in Africa generated, managed and disseminated

15 AGA-YES Flagship Programmes Advocacy a)Youth specific and targeted Advocacy on AU Shared Values Instruments (Information, Education and Communication tools and strategies) b)AGA-YES Youth Portal/Interactive Website (Repository on Youth in Governance in Africa) c)African Union Youth Clubs d)Youth Envoy (Democratic Process) Capacity Development – Mentorship, Inter-Generational Learning, Action Learning a)AGA Youth Advisory Panel b)Transformative Leadership Programme - Linkages with AUYVC c)Youth Parliament – Pan African Parliament d)Moot Court – African Court on Human and Peoples Rights Dialogues: Trends, Opportunities and Prospects a)Annual Dialogues: National, Regional and Continental Convos b)Regional Technical Platform on Youth Political Participation in Africa (Practitioners and Policymakers from Public, Private and Civil Society) Knowledge Generation and Dissemination a)Learning Exchanges and Peer Learning (Intra and Inter-Continental) b)Youth Participation Journal (Young African Researchers) c)Innovative & Creative Comparable Lessons Writeshops

16 Critical Success Factors 1.Alignment with existing programmes and initiatives: Agenda 2063, African Shared Values etc 2.Effective Synergy with coordination with Structures: AU Youth Division and existing programmes in Organs 3.Human Resource Capacity at various Organs: AUYVC, Internships, Fellowships 4.Financial Resource: Champion Member States, Foundations & Trust Funds, UN Agencies, International Partners. 5.Partnerships with Youth Organisations 6.Political Leadership and Will - Chairperson & Commissioners