Empowering African Youth: The 5th Youth Model African Union Summit
The Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD) has been making significant strides in empowering the continent’s youth. Recently, it partnered with the African Union, UNDP Regional Service Centre Addis Ababa, Model African Union Ethiopia (MAU-E), and a host of strategic partners, including the Bahá’í International Community and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to host the 5th Youth Model African Union (YMAU) Extraordinary Summit at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A Platform for Simulation and Learning
This extraordinary summit gathered dynamic young leaders from across Africa to emulate notable organs of the African Union. Participants engaged in simulations of the AU Assembly, the Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). These activities provided participants not just a theoretical understanding but practical insights into the AU’s governance framework, decision-making systems, and continental policy processes.
Distinguished Dignitaries Share Insights
The opening ceremony featured inspiring remarks from a lineup of distinguished dignitaries. Notable speakers included Mrs. Nirina Kiplagat, UNDP Coordinator for Governance and Peacebuilding in Africa; H.E. Maxy Ogbede, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia; and Ms. Illwad Mohammed, Acting Head of the AU Youth Development and Engagement Division. Their addresses set a positive tone for the summit, emphasizing the need for youth involvement in Africa’s governance landscape.
A Vision for Africa’s Future
Mr. Augustine Igweshi, the convener of YMAU and Executive Director of CEPASD, described the summit as more than a mere simulation; he painted it as a robust platform where African youth actively contribute to solutions for the continent’s pressing challenges. “YMAU gives voice to the next generation of African leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and peacemakers,” he stated. This initiative empowers youth to think like the AU, lead with vision, and foster connections across borders.
Skills Development through Real-World Experiences
Mr. Igweshi further emphasized that the simulation sought to equip delegates with hands-on skills essential in the realms of diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, negotiation, research, coalition building, and consensus-driven leadership. Participants were not only passive observers but active learners, gaining valuable insights that could shape their futures.
Addressing the Theme of Justice and Reparations
The summit’s theme, “Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice for African Youth and People of African Descent through Reparations,” leveraged the unique context of contemporary challenges facing Africa. Mr. Igweshi clarified that reparations encompass more than just financial compensation; they signify a quest for justice, dignity, and the restoration of history. He poignantly stated, “Reparations are about healing the wounds of history and building a future rooted in equality and respect.”
A Call to Action for Future Leaders
In his closing remarks, Mr. Igweshi urged participants to approach the simulations with seriousness: “Debate with passion, listen with respect, and negotiate with purpose. Let this not just be a simulation but a statement that Africa’s youth are ready to lead, unite, and take ownership of their countries and the continent’s destiny.” This call to action resonates with the overarching aim of the Youth Model African Union Summit: to prepare young leaders for the responsibilities that lie ahead.
Fostering Leadership and Diplomacy in Africa
Initiated by CEPASD, the Youth Model African Union Summit has evolved into one of Africa’s most significant experiential platforms for leadership and diplomacy. It not only enhances youth participation in continental governance but also supports the ambitious goals of Agenda 2063. This platform signifies hope for a united Africa, driven by knowledgeable and empowered youth leading the charge toward a prosperous and equitable future for all.
