1. The long road to Banjul and beyond: The process of the African Youth Charter and the role of youth in its popularization and ratification Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima Executive Director, Development Partnership International Fifth African Development Forum (ADF V), November 16- 18, 2006

2. Horizon 2007 Strategy In 2004 the AUC developed its most ambitious strategy for institutional reforms and optimum delivery of programmes

3. Status of the African Youth The AUC commissioned a research to analyse the situation of youth in the African Continent in 2005

4. Pan African Youth Federation A Pan African Youth Federation was proposed as a possible continental youth body with structural proposals that vary from all other youth bodies that existed on the continent.

5. Process of the Charter Youth and experts meeting National Consultations Conference of African Union Youth Ministers Banjul Formal Launch

6. Key Challenges Lack of information; Communication challenges; Insufficient funding for the process; Limited Human resources

7. Lessons Learnt Effective youth involvement; Youth leadership towards a sustainable future; Increase advocacy on women and girls issues; Meaningful contributions of youth.

8. Next Steps I Ratification Popularisation Implementation Reporting

9. Next Steps II African Union Commission Regional Economic Commissions Member states Youth and youth organisation International organisations

10. Merci Obrigado Thank you شكرت أنت I thank you for your attention