PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Migiro tasks African govts on youth development, employment
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro on Thursday urged African governments to empower the continent’s youth through schooling and jobs, stressing that the foundation for peace and development lay in giving young people opportunities to build better lives for themselves.
``If we are to bring lasting peace and sustainable development to the continent, we must empower Africa’s youth,” Migiro told African leaders at the annual African Union (AU) summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The theme of the summit is: ``Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development''.
A copy of her speech, made available to PANA in New York, quoted the deputy secretary-general as pointing out that, ``35 per cent of Africa’s total population is between the ages of 15 and 35, the phase in people’s lives when they lay foundations for their future, build careers and plan families''.
``For too many young adults in Africa, this is a time of dashed hopes, frustration, and political, economic and social exclusion,” she noted.
``But, there is a way for African nations to defuse the youth time bomb by empowering youth and reaping the benefits. You (leaders) have recognized this yourselves by choosing the theme of this meeting and by prioritizing youth development in your development agenda,” she stated.
Migiro also said that the United Nations would continue to work closely with Africa’s leaders to maintain and strengthen peace by supporting the efforts of the African people to realize their right to choose their own leaders.
According to her: ``Countries that prioritize democratic principles generally fare better in avoiding armed conflict, promoting stable and equitable development, and building socially inclusive societies''.
She also said that, ``the young men and women of Africa need to know that their dreams can and will be achieved not through violence and crime, but through the ballot box and the decent jobs that will come from thriving economies''.
She further pointed out that the continent has over the past decade undergone a period of rapid economic growth, a stark contrast to the stagnation and reversals of previous years.
``Attractive investment opportunities are expanding beyond the minerals and energy sectors, and a middle class is also emerging in several countries, although extreme poverty, hunger and inequality remain a major concern.
``For Africa, this is, in many ways, an era of opportunity. Our job is to ensure that it is an era of opportunity for all,” the UN deputy scribe said.
Migiro reminded the African heads of State that this year marked the 10th anniversary of the coming into force of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The protocols prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
She recalled that, ``the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a global campaign to promote the universal ratification of the protocols, but only 18 AU Member States are parties''.
``I call on all 53 AU Members to become parties and implement them fully,” she said.
On Sudan, Migiro noted that despite the recent outbreaks of violence in Southern Kordofan and Abyei, the upcoming independence of Southern Sudan was another milestone for Africa, and for the continent’s partnership with the UN.
``The United Nations will remain committed to supporting South Sudan’s peaceful development and to good neighbourly relations between north and south,” she said
She also reiterated that the UN remained committed to the search for a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Libya.
``There should be no doubt about our aims. The objective and the obligation of the international community is to protect civilians and to work for a durable peace that meets the legitimate aspirations of Libyan people,” Migiro added.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 30June2011
``If we are to bring lasting peace and sustainable development to the continent, we must empower Africa’s youth,” Migiro told African leaders at the annual African Union (AU) summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The theme of the summit is: ``Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development''.
A copy of her speech, made available to PANA in New York, quoted the deputy secretary-general as pointing out that, ``35 per cent of Africa’s total population is between the ages of 15 and 35, the phase in people’s lives when they lay foundations for their future, build careers and plan families''.
``For too many young adults in Africa, this is a time of dashed hopes, frustration, and political, economic and social exclusion,” she noted.
``But, there is a way for African nations to defuse the youth time bomb by empowering youth and reaping the benefits. You (leaders) have recognized this yourselves by choosing the theme of this meeting and by prioritizing youth development in your development agenda,” she stated.
Migiro also said that the United Nations would continue to work closely with Africa’s leaders to maintain and strengthen peace by supporting the efforts of the African people to realize their right to choose their own leaders.
According to her: ``Countries that prioritize democratic principles generally fare better in avoiding armed conflict, promoting stable and equitable development, and building socially inclusive societies''.
She also said that, ``the young men and women of Africa need to know that their dreams can and will be achieved not through violence and crime, but through the ballot box and the decent jobs that will come from thriving economies''.
She further pointed out that the continent has over the past decade undergone a period of rapid economic growth, a stark contrast to the stagnation and reversals of previous years.
``Attractive investment opportunities are expanding beyond the minerals and energy sectors, and a middle class is also emerging in several countries, although extreme poverty, hunger and inequality remain a major concern.
``For Africa, this is, in many ways, an era of opportunity. Our job is to ensure that it is an era of opportunity for all,” the UN deputy scribe said.
Migiro reminded the African heads of State that this year marked the 10th anniversary of the coming into force of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The protocols prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
She recalled that, ``the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched a global campaign to promote the universal ratification of the protocols, but only 18 AU Member States are parties''.
``I call on all 53 AU Members to become parties and implement them fully,” she said.
On Sudan, Migiro noted that despite the recent outbreaks of violence in Southern Kordofan and Abyei, the upcoming independence of Southern Sudan was another milestone for Africa, and for the continent’s partnership with the UN.
``The United Nations will remain committed to supporting South Sudan’s peaceful development and to good neighbourly relations between north and south,” she said
She also reiterated that the UN remained committed to the search for a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Libya.
``There should be no doubt about our aims. The objective and the obligation of the international community is to protect civilians and to work for a durable peace that meets the legitimate aspirations of Libyan people,” Migiro added.
-0- PANA AA/VAO 30June2011
