1. The African Youth Charter:
A Framework defining Africa's
Youth Agenda!
By David Wainaina & Rebecca Arlek
African Union Youth Volunteers Corps
[AUYVC]

2. Introduction: History
• The journey of designing the charter began
The Charter is a political and during the African Union Strategic Planning
legal document which serves as 2004 -2007 to ensure that youth issues are
the strategic framework that embedded in a legal framework.
gives direction for youth
empowerment and development • The drafting process took place between
September 2005 and May 2006 through a
at continental, regional and very interactive approach, engaging African
national levels. youth leaders, Youth experts from
Ministries, Ministers of youth
affairs, partners and all interested
stakeholders. This process was finalized
with the adoption of the document by the
African Heads of State and Government on
2 July 2006 in Banjul, Gambia.

3. Overview
1) The Youth Charter is a
legal document that
aims to support
policies, programmes
and actions for youth
development in Africa
2) The Charter refers to
the rights, freedoms
and duties of Young
people in Africa
3) The Youth Decade Plan
of Action 2009-2018 is a
roadmap for the
effective
popularizing, ratifying
and implementing the
AYC
4) The African Youth
Charter entered into
force on 8 August 2009.

4. The Role of the AYC:
Relevance to youth in Africa
The African Youth Charter has a clear role:
• To facilitate the institutionalization of Youth participation in
political debates, decision making and development
processes at national, regional and continental levels; on a
regular and legal basis; for positive and constructive
contribution;
• To contribute to the strengthening of the capacity building
programmes for young leaders in Africa;
• To open the possibility of dialogue and more opportunity
for exchange on youth development issues and facilitates
relevant actions for improvement through education,
training and skills development.

5. Main areas addressed
by the AYC
•Education, skills and competence
development;
•Employment and sustainable
livelihoods;
•Youth leadership and participation;
•Health and welfare;
•Peace and security;
•Environment protection;
•Cultural and moral values.

6. Ratification
• As of April 19, 2012
1. 28 Member States have Ratified the Charter
2. 39 Member States have Signed the Charter
3. 6 Member States are yet to sign and ratify
NB:
• Tanzania has ratified the AYC but with a reservation on Article 13
that affirms that girls who get pregnant while still in school shall
be given an opportunity to continue with school after giving birth.
The GoT is against this provision.
• This has led to advocacy campaigns by various organizations
(UNFPA/Capacitate) to lobby the full ratification of the AYC
without bias.

7. Domestication and Implementation
Political: Law makers should align national laws and policies with the
provisions of the African Youth Charter.
Constitutional: Member States should amend their constitutions and other
related laws to impose an obligation on governing bodies to embark on
time-bound progressive implementation of their duties by providing
specific percentages in their national budgets to carry out such duties.
Ministerial: Member States are expected to have Youth Ministries which shall
be strengthened to execute the legal and policy frameworks aimed at
empowering the youth.
• NB: South Africa have taken an exemplary lead by establishing a National
Youth Commission to contribute positively to the political, sociological and
economic employment of the disadvantaged members of the society.

8. Opportunities for Youth-led
organizations
Ministerial level:
• Disseminate and popularize the charter and work with Ministries of youth to
promote the understanding of the content of the charter among youth at all levels
in particular through:
• Translation in local languages and large distribution;
• Specific workshops and meetings with specific targets to facilitate popularization
of the Charter;
• National activities or festivals for the launching of the Charter, with media
involvement;
• Communication and information sessions in schools and universities for students
and teachers;
• Public rallies, competitions, and marches for country wide information and action;
• Advocacy meetings with officials and decision makers.
• Support the ministerial work in reporting on progress made in countries, via
websites for interactive entertainment, social media and ICT facilities, and TV and
radio programmes;

9. Continued …
Political Level:
• Work with parliamentarians, especially those dealing with
education, youth development or any related areas, to
advocate for the ratification of the charter, through special
programs with media involving youth organizations and
government;
• Celebrating of the African Youth National Day (1st
November) and any other cultural and artistic productions
and events;
• Advocating for the implementation of the charter, through
creation, improvement and reinforcement of partnerships
with the public and private sectors, Diaspora, NGOs, and
international institutions.

10. "Our children may learn about the heroes of the past.
Our task is to make ourselves the architects of the
future.“ - Jomo Kenyatta
Thank You!