Sunday, July 24, 2011

EASTERN AFRICA YOUTH CONFERENCE (EAYC) 2011

CONCEPT PAPER

Introduction

For the longest time, Africa has had the dubious honour of being a continent with some of the world’s longest running and gruesome conflicts. One of the most disheartening facts about the sustained hostilities is that the youth of Africa are becoming more and more drawn into the conflict. Around the world, newspapers and the broadcast media report daily on violence by gangs in schools or by young people on the streets. With these scenes interspersed in the media today, it is easy to conclude that Africa is a basket case.

Although media images of Africa portray it as an irredeemable conflict zone, there are many efforts being made, including by young people to build peace. It is interesting to note that in as much as youth are believed to be the greatest perpetrators of violence, they are equally the primary actors in grass-root community development. An increasing number of young people are rejecting violence as a solution to social, economic and political distress by becoming involved in peace-building efforts at the grassroots, national, regional and international levels.

 Conference Details

Inspired to change the fortunes of African youth in the Eastern Africa region, the Initiatives of Change (IofC) is planning the 2nd Eastern Africa Youth Conference to be held in Uganda in February 2012. Eastern Africa Youth Conference (EAYC)is a youth forum targeting young people between the age of 18 -35 years from the Eastern Africa Bloc (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, Ethiopia, South and North Sudan). It is designed to guide young people towards ethical living and mature leadership and challenge them into transformative acts of service. It is a program of Initiatives of Change (IofC), a network of people committed to the transformation of society based on change in individuals starting with themselves.

The theme for the 2nd EAYC will border around Peace and Conflict transformation. Dubbed, “Youths for Peace: Together Making it Happen”, the forum will seek to address the role of nonviolence, and other significant components of creating and attaining a culture of peace within the region. Sub-themes to be explored include Good governance, Conflict transformation and Building sustainable peace. During the conference, participants will be challenged to examine their relationships and role in building a cohesive/ harmonious society. They will be encouraged to look at their own hopes, fears and motivations through workshops, times of reflection, plenary sessions and community work.
 
Justification

Meaningful youth engagement is built on the recognition that every young person has something to contribute to continuos betterment of society. Research has shown that youth who have been positively engaged and are active participants in society turn into adults with less health, career, family and societal traumas and distresses. Additionally, they are better able to handle those stresses and in turn give back to society more effectively and generously. As a result they will have a positive influence on their peers and can even be role models for younger generations. The moment this decadence is staunched, less energy and resources will be spent on corrective measures for the coming generations.

 
Conference Objectives

i.      To create a central support system for young Eastern Africa leaders to address the issue of conflict in the region.

ii.     To share experiences, learn from each other and emulate best practices that can be applied in countries represented.

iii.    To create a harmonious and prosperous region that other countries in Africa and beyond can emulate.

 Prepared by:  
 
Mbindyo Kimanthi - Chairman EAYC