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Page 1: THE PRESIDENCY

THE PRESIDENCY

African Youth Charter

January, 2009

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PURPOSE

☻ To obtain endorsement from the Portfolio Committee for ratification and signing of the African Youth Charter by Parliament.

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BACKGROUND

☻ The African Youth Charter is a political and legal document.

☻ It serves as a strategic framework that gives direction for youth empowerment and development at continental, regional and national levels.

☻ The Charter is inline with the efforts of the African Union that seek to provide an avenue for effective youth participation in development processes.

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BACKGROUND CONT:

☻ It is also part of the efforts to implement the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Horizon Strategy (2004-2007).

☻ The Charter was adopted in May 2006, in the first ever Conference of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth held in Addis Ababa.

☻ It was then endorsed by African Union Heads of States at their July 2006 Summit in Banjul.

☻ It is expected the African Union Member States should ratify and sign the Charter to allow it to enter into force.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARTER

The Charter is intended to:

☻ Strengthen, reinforce and consolidate continental and regional partnerships and relations.

☻ Prioritise youth development on the African Union’s development agenda, and also at regional and national levels.

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STATUS

☻ At present, the AUC reported that the Charter has been signed and ratified by thirty (30) and sixteen (16) Member States respectively.

☻ However, the challenge is that only 12 Member States deposited their instrument to AU legal dept.

☻ The overall delay of this process is mostly attributed to internal procedures followed by individual countries.

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STATUS CONT:

☻ To accelerate the process, the Conference of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth adopted a Declaration where political commitment to sign, ratify and implement the Charter was reaffirmed.

☻ In SA, legal opinion has been sought; a presentation was made to the PYWG; endorsement was also obtained from Cabinet.

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MOTIVATION

☻ The Charter has to be ratified by at least fifteen (15) Member States for it to enter into force.

☻ As the AU Member State, South Africa also has the responsibility of signing, ratifying, and implementing the Charter.

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BASIS FOR THE CHARTER

☻ The need to strengthen Africa’s greatest resource;☻ Reaffirming the commitment made towards the UN

MDGs; UN WPAY; NEPAD SFYP etc.;☻ Recognising the efforts made by State Parties and

CSOs to address holistic needs of youth;☻ The need to address the situation of African youth;

and☻ Considering the previous role played by youth.

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CONTENT OF THE CHARTER

The Charter focuses on the following:☻ Obligations of State Parties.☻ Rights and duties of young people.☻ National Youth Policies.☻ Key youth development indicators.

Education and Skills Development. Poverty Eradication. Socio-economic integration of youth. Sustainable livelihood and youth employment.

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CONTENT OF THE CHARTER cont:

☻ Key youth development indicators cont:- Health. Peace and Security. Law Enforcement. Sustainable Development and Protection of the

Environment. Youth and Culture. Youth in the Diaspora. Leisure, Recreation, Sports and Cultural activities.

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CONTENT OF THE CHARTER cont:

☻ Key youth development indicators cont:- Girls and Young Women. Mentally and Physically Challenged Youth.

☻ Popularization of the Charter.

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IMPLICATIONS

The following implications of the Charter are explored:☻ Financial;☻ Organizational and Personnel; ☻ Communication; and ☻ Legal.

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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

☻ The implementation of the Charter will be budgeted for within the mainstream youth development programmes.

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ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

☻ The Charter will be implemented within the context of the National Youth Policy (NYP).

☻ This will primarily be undertaken by the national, provincial and local spheres of government as well as youth focused non government organizations (NGOs).

☻ There will be no additional organizational and personnel implications since the existing organizations and personnel will be responsible for implementation of this Charter.

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COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS

The following will be communication implications :

☻ launching of the Charter nationally;☻ translation of the Charter into local

languages and distribution to relevant stakeholders; and

☻ utilization of different kinds of media (TV, Radio, Newspapers, Newsletters; workshops; meetings etc.) for purposes of popularising the Charter.

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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

☻ The Charter has been processed to the State Law Advisors in the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs and Development.

☻ It was found not to be in conflict with any domestic law.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:☻ the Portfolio Committee takes note of the

content of the African Youth Charter and endorses that it be presented to Parliament for signature and ratification; and

☻ the ratified and signed Charter be submitted to the Legal Department of the African Union Commission.

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CONCLUSION

☻ Charter may be amended or revised if any member State makes a written request to that effect to the Chairperson of the Commission.

☻ An amendment shall be approved by a simple majority of the Member States.

☻ The ratified Charter shall come into force thirty (30) days after being deposited as part of the fifteen (15) ratified instruments.

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Thank You!!

CONTACT DETAILSMs Bernice Hlagala

Youth Desk in the Presidency

Tel: (012) 300-5540

Fax: 086 683 5540

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.thepresidency.gov.za