UNOSSC’s Youth4South programme joins forces with African Union Commission for the “1 Million by 2021 Initiative”

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the African Union Commission (AUC) discuss concrete steps to support capacity development of young African people to serve Africa and the world through the umbrella initiative of the Youth4South: Advanced Youth Leadership Programme. 

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African development Agenda 2063, the partnership will build on the African Union’s “1 Million by 2021 Initiative”that seeks to connect one million young Africans to opportunities through education, employment, empowerment and engagement. AUC will work with UNOSSC on the three key pillars of the Youth4South:

1. Capacity Development Training 
2. Academic Fellowship and Scholarship
3. Entrepreneurship

UNOSSC with its’ partners will connect and train 10,000 young emerging and established young entrepreneurs from developing countries, particularly from Africa. In this regard, UNOSSC has facilitated South-South partnerships between AUC and Shenzhen Youth Federation which will support thematic online and offline trainings of the young entrepreneurs. 

During the discussions, H.E. Sarah Abgor, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union Commission shared that drops of water make an ocean, similarly such concrete and strategic initiatives help in leading towards the Africa’s Agenda 2063. Ms. Xiaojun Grace Wang, Deputy Director, UNOSSC, committed to support using South-South and triangular cooperation in developing capacities of the young people of Africa. 

Mr. Chen Daixing from Shenzhen Youth Federation, presented the case for Shenzhen, a young 40-year old city known as the Silicon Valley of China which he said can contribute through concrete exchanges and knowledge sharing to the development of youth in Africa. Mr. Alex Wang from Youthink Centre, provided concrete examples and case studies on advancement of youth leadership as well as methodology-based on the ground training for youth entrepreneurs. 

The concrete steps discussed include supporting young Africans skills development and advanced higher education in other developing countries, face to face action-based trainings on finance and digital technologies, online trainings need based thematic trainings, and supporting networking and community of practice between the youth. 

For more information on the Youth4South initiative: https://www.unsouthsouth.org/youth4south/