The Connect, vuka border Facebook
inter-university challenge has been a great experience albeit a somewhat
disappointing and in some aspects a depressing one. My depression might perhaps
be resulting from my deep belief in the EAC course. Meeting people who know
next to nothing on EAC issues and the progress made within our university is
something that can really be astonishing to any conscious and antipathetic person.
The drive amplified the imperative need for a conscious and more robust need
for youth engagement in the EAC affairs.
But who is to blame for this?
The political disillusionment and
general disenfranchisement that the youth in African States have been caught up
in and their lack of concern in how their governments are run has not spared
the EAC integration process.
What plans does the EAC have for
its youth?
I once asked the plans that the Kenyan
Ministry of East African community had for the youth and how far issues
affecting the youth have been included in the EAC agenda. Below is the response
I received
What plans does MEAC have for the youth in the
EAC integration process and what efforts has MEAC undertaken to incorporate
youth issues in the EAC process?
A number of professional, civil
society, local government associations and youth organizations have formed
alliances across borders and meet regularly. The treaty establishing the EAC
recognizes the critical role of integrating the key stakeholders such as civil
society, women, youth and the private sector in the development agenda of the
community with the intention of empowering effective participation of the
citizenry in matters of economic development and creating a conducive
environment for effective participation.
In connection, the youth, who
constitute the largest segment of the population in the EAC, should be accorded
proportionate recognition and participation in all national and regional
development activities.
EAC’s youth is EAC’s future.
They are not only the leaders of
tomorrow but also the future entrepreneurs, innovators, the scientists and
technologists, the investors and managers as well as the captains of industry
interests. In September 2008, the EAC forum for ministers responsible for
social development recommended that to mainstream youth as well as gender
issues, in all development policies and programs. The ministers further
recommended to EAC council of ministers to establish a youth and children
position under existing EAC administrative structure within FY 2009/2010. In
the intervening time, the EAC gender and community development department has
already requested a budget for an annual youth exchange programme for sharing
new opportunities and best practices in business and technology. In order to
have clear strategies in the sector, a strategic plan which takes into account
youth issues is being developed. Three objectives have been identified:
- To formulate a harmonized comprehensive regional policy that provides a binding framework for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth programmes and projects
- To empower the youth so that they can fully participate and benefit from the regional economic , social and political integration and,
- To establish a regional mechanism that will promote and sustain youth culture, values, morals and ethics.
Where are we with the EAC integration?
It came out clear that many of
the youth don’t even know the full benefits that result from the EAC
integration. Exploiting the resultant opportunities becomes hard if one does
not know what the integration process has brought to the fore. While one section
of East Africa is talking of more integration and is even debating on EAC
political federation another section does not even know we have already signed
the customs union and the Common Market Protocol despite the ‘people centered
approach’ that EAC promise to embrace.
Be posted for the second blog
post examining different scenarios with regard to EAC and its youth
participation!!
