WHAT: Africa Youth Day 2021

Theme: “Defining The Future Today: Youth-Led Solutions For Building the Africa We Want”

WHEN: November 1st - November 30 2021

WHO: The African Union Commission’s (AUC) Youth Division within the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD)

AYM Background Information

When the African Youth Charter was adopted through an Executive Council Decision of the Banjul Summit of 2006 the 1st of November was proclaimed as “Africa Youth Day (AYD).” The Africa Youth Day celebrations aim to increase awareness of, commitment to, and investment in youth; increase and strengthen youth participation and partnerships, as well as increase intercultural exchanges and understanding among young people. The AUC, through consultation with partners, determines a theme for the Day annually.

In acknowledging that young people are at the very heart of Africa’s development agenda, the AUC is using the month of November to shine a spotlight on the efforts and positive impacts of African youth.

The 2021 Africa Youth Month (AYM) theme is a clarion call to all youth development stakeholders - governments, international organizations, development partners, private sector, civil society, and all African youth on the continent and in the diaspora.

The event will amplify, engage and create opportunities for young people as they look ahead to a post-COVID-19 world.

The focus of the 1 Million by 2021 Initiative on Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement and Health, and Well-being is underpinned by a firm foundation of strategic partnerships among stakeholders and acknowledges young people beneficiaries and partners. This year the AUC will commemorate Africa Youth Day with a virtual event attended by AU Ministers of Youth, Sports, and Culture on the sidelines of the 4th Specialized Technical Committee Meeting of Ministers of Youth, Culture, and Sports. The event will spotlight youth development efforts taking place across the continent and H.E the AUC Chairperson will appoint the Next AU Youth Envoy in the same event.

Objectives

  1. To spotlight efforts made by African youths towards recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic;
  2. To encourage all stakeholders to focus on youth-led solutions in restructuring the future.
Africa Youth Month Activities

 

Dates

Activity

Africa Day (1st November)

 

 

One Time Conversation with AU Youth Ministers

1 hour event during the STC Ministerial meeting to celebrate Africa Youth Day with Ministers of Youth, Sports and Culture. H.E Chairperson to announce new AU Youth Envoy and Ministers to share youth development efforts at national level.

Launch Events Map to share the various Africa Youth Day taking place across the continent.

2nd November – 29th November

The Youth Division within WGYD showcases the work done in across the AUC’s Youth Development programs in the past year.

 

4th November – 29th November

7 AYM Podcasts – informal conversations with on the theme “Defining the Future Today”. The conversations will pair a young speaker to a Youth Division member.

30th November

Digital concert  

The activities will focus on amplifying and highlighting youth excellence, engaging and empowering youth through online forums and conversations and showcasing opportunities that build the capacity of youth.

You can engage with our activities on social media through sharing and using the hashtags; #1mBy2021, #DefineTheFuture and #AYM2021

For more information contact:

Ms. Nontobeko Tshabalala, Youth Division, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, African Union Commission Tel: +251 911 3611 85, E-mail: NontobekoT@africa-union.org.

For media inquiries contact:

Ms. Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng, Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, Africa Union Commission E-mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org