Call for applications for the AU Youth Reference Committee: This call is open to youths from the African Union members states and the European youth representative to apply. The are to forge a network of international youth champions to promote youth advocacy and help in reducing inequalities.

Program Description

AU Youth Reference Committee: The AU Youth Envoy and Austria National Youth Council have joined forces to establish a network of national and international youth champions to strengthen youth participation in reducing inequalities. This initiative seeks to establish a Youth Reference Committee of twenty-five (25) African and fifteen (15) European youth representatives.

These youth representatives will engage in international online and offline workshops, exchanges and consultations and attend lobbying appointments to improve the prospects of young people on the continent and beyond. In addition, the committee will contribute towards developing a youth position paper and a global toolkit for meaningful youth engagement to strengthen youth participation and reduce inequalities.

Benefits

Fully funded participation in youth development programs of the AU & UNGA Summits, Study Visits and International Networking.

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Key thematic areas for the AU Youth Reference Committee:

• Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
• Youth Civic Engagement and Advocacy.
• Climate Change, Climate Resilience & Climate Justice.
• Youth in Peace, Security, Politics and Democratic Governance.
• Youth and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA).
• Youth Development, Capacity Building & Bridging the Digital Skills Gender Gap for an Equal Labour Force.
• Mental health and well-being of youth at risk (War, Political Instability, Forced Migration, Harmful Practices).

Responsibilities and duties of the AU Youth Reference Committee:

• Demonstrate commitment to meaningful youth engagement in various development thematics, nationally and internationally.
• Liaise with the AU Office of the Youth Envoy and partners to define the collaboration around selected thematic and policy areas.
• Start conversations and work together with young people and relevant parties in your region and country.
• Be willing to conduct research, create products (such as podcasts), and draft youth-centred development policy advice on key thematics.
• Participate in dialogue on project topics between politicians and African and European youth.
• Participate in lobbying appointments and Co-drafting a youth position paper. Participate in Co-designing a toolkit on youth engagement from an international perspective.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility requirements for the AU Youth Reference Committee are:

• Proficiency in any AU language.
• Have a valid passport with at least six months.
• Be an African residing in any African country.
• Eighteen to Thirty-Five years of age at the time of application.
• Actively engaged with your local community of young people, online and offline Must be willing to amplify the project in your local community of young people Flexible and open-minded to work with diverse groups of people.
• Socially involved and interested in development issues and policy dialogue on ending inequalities.
• Young people with experience in youth engagement and affiliated with youth- led organisations, networks or movements are encouraged to apply.

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Application Procedure

Please visit the application page for further information and application instructions on how to apply for the AU Youth Reference Committee.

Timelines:

• Application Deadline: April 22.
• Kick Off: Youth Reference Committee – 2-Day Virtual Workshop – May 2023.
• 10-Day Study visit in Vienna, Austria – September 2023.
• Participation in AU & UNGA Summit Side Events – 2024.

Website and Application Link