The Norfolk Hotel Nairobi Kenya, 9th November 2018:  Africa Youth Trust (AYT) officially launched The Horn of Africa Youth Network as the first ever in history to have brought together stakeholders and youth organizations from the Horn of Africa (HOA) countries.

AYT in partnership with Save the Children brought together organizations from Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland and of course the host country Kenya to a 2-day consultative forum to discuss recommendations to affirm protection strategies of child and youth rights against different violations.

At the event AYT presented a desktop study under Youth Action on State Accountability Project (YASAP) (follow #YASAPForum2018) to examine child and youth protection mechanisms against six grave rights violations with emphasis to Child Marriage; Safe Schools; Youth Employment; and Migration in the HOA.

The 2-day forum took place at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi from 8th- 9th November 2018. Officiating the opening of the forum was H.E Amb. Federal Republic of Somalia Ali Mohammed Sheikh who drummed up support that he will do his best to ensure all deliberations are adhered to and in ensuring that youth matters are at the forefront of all developmental agendas.

“The youth need to understand that this is the time to speak and be heard, at 25 years, whatever you are doing, whatever you believe in and aim to achieve is what you are likely to do for the rest of your life. I am whom I am today because of what I was doing at my younger age,” said H.E. Amb Ali Mohammed Sheikh in his opening speech.

The forum saw issues pertaining gender gaining center stage stating that even though we have been witnessing some balance in some countries, the trends are not the same. Equality and economic empowerment on women came out strongly as a matter that need more airtime and emphasis in it’s advocacy.

“There is a big conflict between human rights and culture which has posed a significant dilemma in achieving the intended milestones on women empowerment. Like this is one of the challenges that we ought to find alternative mentorship programs to spearhead our advocacy efforts,” said Lillian Aber, Chair National Youth Council Uganda and Youth Advisor to the President.

It was noted also that in South Sudan, there is a divide amongst the CSOs along political lines which also introduces a challenge in the efforts being put in place to achieve peace and security agenda. The forum put together recommendation in form of declaration (The ‘Nairobi Declaration’) that will be pushed up by a single HOA network with a mindset of a paradigm shift in strategies applied.

Invited to the event to officially sign and receive the recommendations from the forum was Hon. Ababu Namwamba, EGH, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ababu Namwamba. He is a Council Member of Ministers at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and which the the network believe will be the right contact to table the recommendations at the IGAD office.

Hon. Ababu Namwamba in his speech expressed his delight at the interest that the youth have shown in wanting to make our continent a safe place for all. “I am happy to be part of this today and if it were not that I was held on other forums that are discussing matters youth, I would have attended this event fully from the start because what you are putting in place are the ideas we are looking for to ensure that no African child has to migrate in search of employment in a foreign country” he said.

The organizations behind the declarations committed to work hand in hand with IGAD if the recommendations go through.

“Many times declarations have been written, signed and submitted and unfortunately most have remained theories but I want to assure us all that I have gone through this content and the issues herein are dear to my heart and each will be followed to the end,” assured Hon Ababu. His sentiments were echored by all heads in the room.

The declarations included commitment signatories from each countries’ member representatives present.

Some of the issues included in the recommendations we’re:

• Mainstreaming youth and children rights in all policies, programs and institutions in our respective countries and regions.
• Promote stronger mutual engagement and a more coordinated approach to ensure effective multilateralism through stronger inter-state collaboration.

• Investing in the protection of the rights of the children and youth for accelerated inclusive growth and sustainability.
• Having a youth representative at IGAD from the Horn Of Africa Youth Network to amplify youth voices in the development agenda

“I want to assure you that this declarations will be delivered and tabled by myself to IGAD Secretariat,” declared Hon  Namwamba.  Ababu also officially launched the new network body “Horn of Africa Youth Network” with new interim committee which will be the umbrella body in ensuring that the recommendations are implemented.

The African Youth Trust has been in the forefront to bring together organizations to work together in order to achieve the greater results that we all want for Africa especially those of children, youth and women. The success of the YASAP forum with the launch of the new network ‘The Horn of Africa Youth Network, marks another new milestone stepped up by AYT.