ANNUAL HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE 2015 DGTRENDS OPEN CALL FOR NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIO AFRICANA Introduction As part of the activities of the 2015 (4th) High Level Dialogue (HLD) on Democracy, ElectionsandGovernancewhichwillbeheldinKigali,Rwandafrom26-27 November 2015, the African Union Commission (AUC) will facilitate the inclusion of youngpeople'sspecificitiesandvoicesintotheconversationthroughNational Conversations.TheseConversationswillbeheldaroundthethemeYouth participationandleadershipinpoliticalpartiesinAfrica:Specialfocusonyoung women for the Continental Youth Consultations due to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 23-25 November, 2015. The theme of the Youth Consultation is linked to that of the 2015 Dialogue under the theme Womens Equal Participation and Leadership in Political Parties in Africa. The overall goal of the 2015 Youth Consultations is to provide a collaborative, open andinclusivespaceforyoungpeopleinvolvedindifferentspheresofpoliticallife acrosstheirrespectiveregionstodiscussthecurrentstateofyouthpolitical participationparticularlyyoungwomenandtheprospectsthattheyenvisionfor strengtheningthewaysinwhichyoungpeopleandyoungwomenparticularlycan lead and serve in political parties and governments. Inanefforttodeliverontheabovegoalnationalconversationswillspecificallyaim at: 1.Sharingevidence-basedknowledgeandanalysisonyouthandparticularly young womens participation in political parties in Africa; 2.Exchangingcomparablelessons,experienceandpracticesontherolesof youngpeopleinfosteringaccountable,responsiveandeffectivegovernance throughout the continent; 3.Assessingtheeffectivenessoftheexistingparticipatorystructuresofyouth and particularly young women in political parties; and 4.Identifyingthespecificrolesofstateandnon-stateactors(especiallycivil society)aswellasNationaldevelopmentpartnerstowardsstrengthening youth engagement in democratic governance. Expected Outputs and Outcomes 1.A synopsis of nationalspecific challenges to and opportunities for youth and women on political participationand governance;2.Ananalysisofthepriorityissuesforyouthandwomenthatcouldbe addressed through increased participation in political parties activities; 3.Increasednumbersandqualityofyouthandwomenrepresentationin decision-making structures and political leadership in AU Member States; 4.ANationalReportfromeachparticipatingcountrythatoutlinespolicyand practicalsuggestionstotheAUMemberStates,Organs,Institutionsand RegionalEconomicCommunitiesonwaystosupportincreasedparticipation of youth and women in political parties as an enabling factor to the promotion of good governance and strengthening of democracy on the continent. These ReportswillbevalidatedattheContinentalYouthPre-Forumand subsequently adopted at the HLD in November 2015. Call for National Conversation FacilitatorsAspartoftheconversationsleadinguptotheHighLevelDialogueinNovember, AUCcalluponYouthledandorientedCSOstoexpressinteresttofacilitatenon partisan national conversations on the theme of the 2015 Youth consultations. Participants Participants should be drawn from both political and civic youth organisations. There should be representation from across political divides, across the country and of men and women. Invited participants should include: Youth in political parties / youth wings Youth in civil society organisations that focus on political participation or youth and politics Non-partisan youth who are interested in participating in politics Young women currently within political parties or those interested in increased participation in political parties The consultations may take the form of physical or virtual meetings. Through this open call, interested youth led or oriented organisations are requested to send in a maximum of two page proposal on the proposed actions/activities in line withtheobjectivesandexpectedoutcomeshighlightedabove.Inthedesignofthe proposedactions/activities,prioritywillbegiventoproposalswithclarityinthe following areas: 1.Participationofyoungwing/leaguemembersofpoliticalpartiesfromvarious divides (Leading and Opposition) 2.Demonstrate how the gender dimensions of the discussion will be ensured 3.Ensuretheactiveengagementofbothruralandurbanyouthinthe conversations 4.Utilise effectively social media tools Successful organisations will be designated as National Conversation Leads and will berequiredtoprovidetechnical,logisticalandfinancialsupporttowardsthe conveningofthenationalconversation.Inaddition,theseorganisationswillbe requiredtoworkwithotherorganisationsintheirrespectiveMemberStates.The national conversations should be undertaken between August 24 and September 25, 2015. Interested organisation should address their two page proposal to Ibraheem Sanusi atsanusii@africa-union.org.DeadlineforthereceiptofproposalisFriday19th August 2015.