African Governance ArchitectureYouth Engagement Strategy

on Democracy, Elections and Governance

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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

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African Governance Architecture (AGA)

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.

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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 2063

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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 youth7. Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and

partner

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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

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Development Process

1. 2013 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

4. 2014 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)

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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

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Specific Objectives1. 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.

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Target Groups: AU Youth Age (18 – 35yrs)

1. Member StatesYouth in Cabinet, Parliament, Civil Service, Political Parties, MDAs in local, regional and Federal Government levels

2. Civil SocietyCivic 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 MakersMinistries, Commissions & Agencies for Youth, RECs, AU Organs and Institutions etc

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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

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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

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AGA-YES Flagship ProgrammesAdvocacya) 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 Clubsd) Youth Envoy (Democratic Process)

Capacity Development – Mentorship, Inter-Generational Learning, Action Learninge) AGA Youth Advisory Panelf) Transformative Leadership Programme - Linkages with AUYVCg) Youth Parliament – Pan African Parliamenth) Moot Court – African Court on Human and Peoples Rights

Dialogues: Trends, Opportunities and Prospectsi) Annual Dialogues: National, Regional and Continental Convosj) Regional Technical Platform on Youth Political Participation in Africa (Practitioners and

Policymakers from Public, Private and Civil Society)

Knowledge Generation and Disseminationk) Learning Exchanges and Peer Learning (Intra and Inter-Continental)

l) Youth Participation Journal (Young African Researchers)

m) Innovative & Creative Comparable Lessons Writeshops

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Critical Success Factors1. 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