To obtain endorsement from the Portfolio Committee for ratification and signing of the African Youth Charter by Parliament.
BACKGROUND
The African Youth Charter is a political and legal document.
It serves as a strategic framework that gives direction for youth empowerment and development at continental, regional and national levels.
The Charter is inline with the efforts of the African Union that seek to provide an avenue for effective youth participation in development processes.
BACKGROUND CONT:
It is also part of the efforts to implement the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Horizon Strategy (2004-2007).
The Charter was adopted in May 2006, in the first ever Conference of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth held in Addis Ababa.
It was then endorsed by African Union Heads of States at their July 2006 Summit in Banjul.
It is expected the African Union Member States should ratify and sign the Charter to allow it to enter into force.
OBJECTIVES OF THE CHARTER
The Charter is intended to:
Strengthen, reinforce and consolidate continental and regional partnerships and relations.
Prioritise youth development on the African Union’s development agenda, and also at regional and national levels.
STATUS
At present, the AUC reported that the Charter has been signed and ratified by thirty (30) and sixteen (16) Member States respectively.
However, the challenge is that only 12 Member States deposited their instrument to AU legal dept.
The overall delay of this process is mostly attributed to internal procedures followed by individual countries.
STATUS CONT:
To accelerate the process, the Conference of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth adopted a Declaration where political commitment to sign, ratify and implement the Charter was reaffirmed.
In SA, legal opinion has been sought; a presentation was made to the PYWG; endorsement was also obtained from Cabinet.
MOTIVATION
The Charter has to be ratified by at least fifteen (15) Member States for it to enter into force.
As the AU Member State, South Africa also has the responsibility of signing, ratifying, and implementing the Charter.
The implementation of the Charter will be budgeted for within the mainstream youth development programmes.
ORGANISATIONAL AND PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
The Charter will be implemented within the context of the National Youth Policy (NYP).
This will primarily be undertaken by the national, provincial and local spheres of government as well as youth focused non government organizations (NGOs).
There will be no additional organizational and personnel implications since the existing organizations and personnel will be responsible for implementation of this Charter.
COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS
The following will be communication implications :
translation of the Charter into local languages and distribution to relevant stakeholders; and
utilization of different kinds of media (TV, Radio, Newspapers, Newsletters; workshops; meetings etc.) for purposes of popularising the Charter.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
The Charter has been processed to the State Law Advisors in the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs and Development.
It was found not to be in conflict with any domestic law.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
the Portfolio Committee takes note of the content of the African Youth Charter and endorses that it be presented to Parliament for signature and ratification; and
the ratified and signed Charter be submitted to the Legal Department of the African Union Commission.
CONCLUSION
Charter may be amended or revised if any member State makes a written request to that effect to the Chairperson of the Commission.
An amendment shall be approved by a simple majority of the Member States.
The ratified Charter shall come into force thirty (30) days after being deposited as part of the fifteen (15) ratified instruments.
