9th africa europe training course for youth organizations report (personal)

5TH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY ON YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3RD TO 10TH MAY 2013, MINDELO, SAO VICENTE-CAPE VERDE

Organized by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in the framework of the Joint Management Agreement between the European Commission-EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the North-South Centre in partnership with the European Youth Forum, Pan-African Youth Union and the Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa

NELSON OCHIENG OPANY World Organization of the Scout Movement-Africa Region, Representative Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa (NIYOA)

REPORT OF THE 9TH AFRICA-EUROPE TRAINING

COURSE FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

5th African University of Youth and Development “Democratic Citizenship”

Report of the 9th Africa-Europe Training Course for Youth Organizations of 19

REPORT OF THE 9TH AFRICA-EUROPE TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTH

ORGANIZATIONS HELD FROM 3RD TO 10TH MAY 2013 IN MINDELO, SAO VICENTE-CAPE VERDE ISLANDS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE 5TH AFRICAN

UNIVERSITY ON YOUTH AND DEVLEOPMENT

5TH AFRICAN UNIVERSITY ON YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT The 5th AUYD was organized by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC),

together with the Cape Verde Youth Federation (FCJ), the Portuguese National Youth Council (CNJ-Portugal), the Youth Forum of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (FJ-CPLP), the African Diaspora Youth Network in Europe (ADYNE), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), the European Youth Forum (YFJ), the Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa (NIYOA) and the United Nations in Cape Verde (UNCV). It is supported by the Joint Management Agreement between the European Commission - EuropeAid Co-operation Office and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, the Government of Cape Verde, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the Portuguese Co-operation Agency. The Fifth African University on Youth and Development aimed at:

1. Enhancing the co-operation and dialogue among partners (civil society and institutional representatives) in youth development strategies and actions, increasing the efficiency and impact of their work;

2. Promoting a space for preparation and follow-up of the Africa-Europe Youth Summits and reinforcement of the Africa-Europe Youth Co-operation, Pan African and Global Youth Work;

3. Strengthening and support the role of networks, non-governmental youth organizations and civil society responding to their needs in terms of capacity building;

4. Developing joint efforts to address the major challenges faced by young people in

the light of the priority areas identified as regards youth development; 5. Increasing the opportunities for networking, information sharing, capacity building

and training for young people and youth organizations; 6. Promoting global education among young people and youth organizations and

awareness raising for development. The AUYD was developed as a follow-up of the 1st Africa-Europe Youth Summit that took

place in Lisbon in 2007, as a way to promote the contribution of Youth for the implementation of Africa-EU Strategic Partnership. Since the development of 2012-2015 Action Plan and the launching of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform (in 2012), the consolidation of the University has been identified as an annual and permanent feature of the Africa-Europe Youth Co-operation. The African University on Youth and Development is part of the Network of Universities

on Youth and Global Citizenship, together with the University on Youth and Development (14th edition in September 2013, Molina, Spain), the University on Participation and Citizenship (since 2003 in Uruguay) and the new Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship (1st edition in July 2013). The Network of Universities, promoted by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in partnership with youth organizations and governmental institutions, aims to promote



personal development through training as well as capacity building and coordination of youth organizations in global youth work. The Network aims to promote a more coordinated work between Universities, thus promoting more visibility and sustainability of the partnership.

The 5th edition of African University on Youth and Development was held in Mindelo, Cape Verde, and will brought together around 150 young people mainly from Africa and Europe, whom during the one week had the chance to live and learn together. During the University, several different activities were lined up. These included;

1. 2nd Meeting of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform

2. 9th Africa-Europe Training Course for Youth Organizations 3. Intercultural Forum on Democratic Citizenship and Culture of Peace 4. Post 2015 Agenda on Population and Youth Employment Conference 5. Meeting of Youth Organizations Platforms 6. Training on Youth Association, Leadership and Entrepreneurship 7. 5th School of Youth Leaders of the CPLP 8. International Youth Work Camp on World Heritage “Cidade Velha, the Origins of the

Creole Society” In line with the Network of Universities on Youth and Global Citizenship, the joint theme for the 5th AUYD was “Democratic Citizenship”.

The Joint Programme Activities Throughout the week, participants in the University engaged in a joint programme that

consisted of comprehensive discussions, educational visits, learning methodologies based on non-formal education, institutional and cultural contacts, and multimedia coverage. In particular the following are activities were held jointly:

1. The institutional opening and closing ceremonies; 2. Roundtable „Youth Work and Democratic Citizenship‟ – focusing on the role of youth

organizations and youth work for an increased engagement and democratic

participation of young people on the public sphere, namely through educational activities.

3. Various cultural activities and thematic evenings devoted to specific topics that will be developed with the help of participants and using their initiative and enjoyment as the driving force.

9TH AFRICA-EUROPE TRAINING COURSE FOR YOUTH ORGNIZATIONS Held under the Joint Management Agreement between the EuropeAid (DGDevCo) and the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, this course is implemented by the NSC, in

partnership with the European Youth Forum, the Pan African Youth Union and the Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa. Based on the success of previous editions, the course brought together 23 leaders of youth organizations from across Africa and Europe together with a team of European and African trainers experienced in Africa-Europe Youth Co-operation.



Participants and Trainers

No Name Organization Country

1. Andreia Henriques North-South Centre/Council of Europe Portugal

2. Andreia P. Moreira Spain

3. Anna-Maria Hass Germany

4. Bert van Vijfeijken World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS)

Netherlands

5. Brian Chomba National Youth Council of Zambia Zambia

6. Carmen Fischer European Youth Forum (TRAINER) Austria

7. David Silva Portuguese National Youth Council Portugal

8. Eliza Popper National youth Council of Hungary Hungary

9. Emmi Ruohonen SCI Finland

10. Faith Odhiambo Pax Romana-ICMICA Kenya

11. Federica Cicala Trainer

12. Hermino Mendes Cape Verde Youth Federation Cape Verde

13. Hywel Sedgwick-Jell Falcon Movement United Kingdom

14. Ignace Diessongo National Youth Council of Burkina Faso (CNJ-BF)

Burkina Faso

15. Janice da Graca Cape Verde

16. Judith Mulwa Global Young Greens Kenya

17. Lyubomir Todorov International Movement of Young Rural Agricultural Catholics (MIJARC)

Bulgaria

18. Malick Ceesay Gambian National Youth Council Gambia

19. Marcio Barcelos European Youth Forum/WOSM Europe Portugal

20. Marwa Abdo Pan-African Youth Union Sudan

21. Michael Adikwu Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa (TRAINER)

Nigeria

22. Nelson Opany World Organization of the Scout Movement-Africa Region (WOSM)

Kenya

23. Rachael Moore African Diaspora Youth Network (ADYNE) United Kingdom

24. Rahel Weldeab Pan-African Youth Union (TRAINER) Eritrea

25. Sandra Grindgards Finland

26. Stefan Manevski Centre for Intercultural Dialogue Macedonia

27. Victorino Matias National Youth Council of Angola Angola

28. Viviane Carrico Portuguese Youth Council Portugal

29. Waruguru Wanjau International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)

Kenya

The training took place at the Trade Union Hall in Mindelo, while participants were

accommodated at the Mindel Hotel. The course was focused around young people‟s

participation in the Africa-Europe Youth Co-operation and within the framework created by

the 2nd and 3rd EU-Africa Heads of State Summits (EU-Africa Strategic Partnership) and the

Africa-Europe Youth Summits held in 2007 and 2010.

During the course, participants gained knowledge and tools to develop the capacity of their organizations as civil society actors in development processes as well as learn ways to strengthen their political participation in the context of Euro-African co-operation. The course also presented an excellent opportunity for networking and partnership development.



The specific objectives of the training were as follows: 1. To understand the working and social environment of the African and European

Youth 2. To understand the history and development of the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation

3. To create a space to exchange competences and good practices in youth work 4. To know how to contribute in the advocacy processes to meet the thematic priorities

of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform of MDGs and Post 2015 Development Agenda and Youth Unemployment

Meeting Other Scouts at the University Apart from Nelson Opany, who was representing WOSM Africa Region and Bert van

Vijfeijken from WAGGGS Europe, there were also other scouts present from both Africa and Europe. Some of them included the following:

Bert (Netherlands), Marcio (Portugal) and Nelson (Kenya) Paulo (Portugal) and Nelson (Kenya)

Nelson from Kenya (centre) with Cape Verdean Scouts Nelson (left) with an Angolan Scout

Nelson with another Cape Verdean Scout Nelson with Anna from Portugal A scout from Guinea Bissau



Not Scouts but proud to be associated with one: Rachael (UK) and Rahel (Eritrea) pose with Nelson

Training Course Programme The programme for the 9th Africa-Europe Training Course for Youth Organizations included:

Trainers Welcome and Art Exhibition

Introduction of Participants and their Organizations Opening Ceremony of the 5th AUYD Realizing Realities From Realities to Policies Background of the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Thematic Priorities of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform

Defining Cooperation Advocacy in Youth Policies and Youth Work World Café Open Space Visit to Local Organizations and to Mindelo Evaluation Closing Ceremony of the 5th AUYD

Trainers Welcome and Art Exhibition By 12:00 pm on 3rd May all participants from both Africa and Europe had already arrived in Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island in Cape Verde. The African team arrived first after having two stopovers in Dakar, Senegal and Praia, the Capital City of Cape Verde. They were soon joined by the European counterparts who had a stopover in Lisbon, Portugal. The team of trainers arrived earlier on to make arrangements to receive the participants.

On arrival the participants checked in at Mindel Hotel. Lunch was then served. A local dance group was there to welcome and entertain participants with Cape Verdian drumming and dance as they had lunch. Participants had a free afternoon to settle down after which they convened for a welcome session with the trainers. Everyone made brief self introductions and played several name games. This was then followed by an art exhibition at a local



cultural centre before dinner. After dinner all participants gathered for a briefing on the joint programme of the 5th AUYD. Introduction of Participants and their Organizations

The second day began with an overview of the 9th AETC programme followed by a session on getting to know each other. The trainers used various non-formal activities to get participants to introduce themselves, their organizations and what they do in order to enable them understand and bond with each other. These activities involved

1. The mysterious musical ball game 2. The road towards Africa-Europe Cooperation (the boats, the sharks and the island) 3. My Facebook profile

4. Trading Nations game (Germany, Brazil, USA, Malawi and India versus the World Bank-Circles, Triangles and Squares)

5. Live from Mindelo (Role plays to introduce of participants‟ Organizations-tele novella, news show, television interview, gossip show, participation of youth with disabilities)

Nelson making an introduction at the start of the training course

The purpose of these games was to:

1. Enable participants to understand each other and their organizations 2. Introduce fun into the learning concepts of the training 3. Set the rules of engagement and statements of objectives and foreseen challenges in

the training 4. Introduce the concept of international cooperation and partnerships among nations

of Africa and Europe 5. Evaluate real life situations regarding partnerships and cooperation among nations

Opening Ceremony of the 5th AUYD The opening ceremony was held at the Mindelo Cultural Centre. Participants of all the activities under the university were present. Among the panelists were Helmer Fortes (Cape



Verdian Youth Federation), Paulo Pinheiro (Portuguese National Youth Council), Manuel Lapao (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) and Andreia Henriques (North-South Centre of the Council of Europe). The chief guest was His Excellency Jose Maria Neves, Prime Minister of Cape Verde.

Some of the outcomes of the ceremony include the following:

Enhancing capacities of youth leaders in the cooperation process through non-formal education

Development of intergenerational and intercultural dialogue and solidarity beyond Africa and Europe

Youth don‟t want charity, they need opportunity

Promoting youth autonomy through education and training for their effective participation in the development of the post 2015 agenda

The African University on Youth and Development has been made a permanent and annual feature of the Africa-Europe cooperation

Governance and low capacity still a challenge to building states of rights and democracy for youth in Africa

It‟s important to ensure the ability of states to manage the socio-political processes

in Africa It‟s time for African leadership to take responsibility for their development over 50

years after independence, with greater youth participation It is critical to mobilize the energy of the young people in Africa towards

development Governments should implement political programmes that improve people‟s lives and

respect democratic principles

Another key highlight of the opening ceremony was the official launch of the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Online Resource Centre. This is an initiative to consolidate and disseminate information about the Africa-Europe cooperation. The resource centre is accessible to all through the website www.aeyco.com Realizing Realities The session involved the use “the back sticker game and the Africa-Europe Reality collage game (Using newspaper cuttings)” to take the participants through different stereotype situations existing in Africa and Europe and how they influence our perceptions and realities about others with regard to cooperation. It also helped participants to understand reality differences in Africa and Europe as well as introduce the North-South cooperation concept. The ensuing discussion sought to tackle the following questions:

1. What is the right way of development?

2. How do Africans perceive Europeans and vice versa? 3. How do Africans and Europeans perceive themselves?

Ultimately, participants came to a common understanding that for cooperation to thrive, we must all challenge our stereotypes. Don‟t judge, challenge your judgement!

From Realities to Policies In groups, participants also took time to further explore the realities of Africa and Europe and prepare reality statements in line with the following agenda items of the Millennium Declaration.

1. Peace, Security and Disarmament 2. Development and Poverty Eradication 3. Environmental Protection 4. Human Rights



5. Democracy and Good Governance 6. Protection to Vulnerable Population 7. Consideration for the Special Needs of Africa 8. Need to Strengthen the United Nations

A group work session in progress Nelson making a presentation

The reality statements were examples of how evaluation of realities could be used to make

policy proposals. This exercise was further reinforce by a review of the Tripoli Declaration passed at the 2nd Africa-Europe Youth Summit in Tripoli, Libya in 2010 and making proposals on the following issues contained in the declaration:

1. Achieving Millennium Development Goals 2. Decent work for young people 3. Globalization, trade and socio-economic development 4. Managing climate change and sustainable development 5. Good governance and democracy 6. Migration, mobility, intercultural dialogue and co-development 7. Ensuring peace and fighting conflict

Background of the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Andreia Henriques, the Youth Cooperation Manger at the North-South Centre took participants through key highlights of the Africa-Europe cooperation, the achievements

made so far and the some future plans. The sequence of these highlights includes: 1st Africa-Europe Training Course in 2002 in Tarrafal, Cape Verde 4th Africa-Europe Training Course for Youth Organizations in 2006 in Almada,

Portugal 1st Africa-Europe Youth Summit in 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal Africa-EU Strategic Partnership Seed Funding for Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation Projects West Africa Sub-Regional Seminar in 2009 1st African University on Youth and Development in 2009 in Tarrafal, Cape Verde Long term Training Course for Trainers on the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation in

2009 in Cote d‟Ivore East Africa Sub Regional Seminar in 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1st Training Course for Young Leaders of African Diaspora Living in Europe in 2009 in

Almada, Portugal



The African Diaspora Youth Network (ADYNE) was formed in 2009 Southern Africa Sub Regional Seminar in 2010 in Angola 2nd Training Course for ADYNE in 2010 2nd African University on Youth Development in 2010 in Santiago, Cape Verde

Network of International Youth Organizations in Africa formed in 2010 2nd Africa-Europe Youth Summit in 2010 in Tripoli, Libya Central Africa Sub Regional Seminar in 2011 in Gabon 3rd African University on Youth and Development in 2011 in Sal, Cape Verde Africa-Europe Youth Leaders Meeting in 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 4th African University on Youth and Development in 2012 in Mindelo, Cape Verde 1st Africa Europe Youth Platform Meeting in 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

North Africa Sub Regional Seminar towards the Mediterranean University in 2012 in Tunisia

New Joint Management Agreement 2013-2015 reached with the Council of Europe 5th African University on Youth and Development and launch of AEYCO online

resource centre in 2013 in Mindelo, Cape Verde 2nd Africa-Europe Youth Platform Meeting in June 2013 in Brussels, Belgium 4th Training course for ADYNE in 2013 in Hammanet, Tunisia

3rd Africa-Europe Youth Summit at the 4th Africa-EU Heads of States and Governments Summit in April 2014

Nelson presenting copies of the WOSM Africa-Europe Partnership Report and Training Manual to Andreia Henriques,

the Youth Cooperation Coordinator of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe



Thematic Priorities of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform The permanent members of the Africa-Europe Youth Platform at their meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2012 agreed on two thematic priorities for focus in the framework of the Africa-Europe youth cooperation. These priorities are:

1. Millennium Development Goals and the Post 2015 Agenda 2. Youth Employment and Decent Work

Under the MDGs and post 2015 agenda participants reviewed the 8 millennium development goals of: universal free education, environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, maternal healthcare, gender equality, reducing child mortality, combating, HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other diseases and global partnerships for development. They also reviewed the thematic

areas indentified in the post 2015 agenda. (Refer to www.thefuturewewant.org) The discussion on youth employment and decent work revolved around reasons/causes of youth unemployment, existing solutions and other potential solutions to addressing unemployment. The session culminated with a look at the My World Survey that seeks to engage people in helping to define the post 2015 development agenda. Anyone can participate in the survey on www.myworld2015.org Defining Cooperation In attempting to understand cooperation, the participants engaged on identifying personal, strengths and weaknesses. Based on that self evaluation they defined their personal values and learnt how to use their commonalities in coming up with group values; and most importantly how they can transfer those values into action for a common good.

Advocacy in Youth Policies and Youth Work The session began with each participant writing down 5 words they thought defines advocacy. In groups they were then required to pick four of the common words that best defines democracy for them. Representatives from each group would then meet to discuss and agree on three words within a given time. This exercise aimed at kick-starting the topic on advocacy as it entailed a lot of negotiations to arrive at a decision. Later on, still in groups, participants were given case study advocacy tasks to analyze and develop a ten-point action plan to advocate for the given situation. The presentations and discussions and produced some key points to note in any advocacy process. These include:

Advocacy is about what, why, whom, when and how? Analyze the environment Get the contacts Build a network of supporters

Frame the message Prepare your meeting Create the news to attract attention Find the gap Create synergies by become part of something bigger Give it a face

Understand why you need to go to a partner. Explore new options Lobby directly to the concerned people Timing is essential Monitor and assess your own processes Document all processes and outcomes Appreciate all stakeholders and supporters



World Café The world café is an open roundtable discussion that provided an opportunity for participants to engage in discussions around the joint theme of the AUYD of “democratic citizenship”. The chief guest at the Café was His Excellency Hon. Jorge Carlos Fonseca , the

President of Cape Verde. Other panelists included Andreia Henriques (NSC/CoE), Rahel Weldeab (PYU), Marcio Barcelos (EYF), Michael Adikwu (NIYOA) among others.

His Excellency Hon. Jorge Carlos Fonseca , the President of Cape Verde addressing the plenary

In the last years, we have seen the rise of several movements, mainly promoted by youth,

questioning the exercise of democratic citizenship and fighting for rights and values. It happened in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean and also a bit all over the world. Through social media, demonstrations, petitions and other tools, young people (including non-organized) are claiming the right to be part of decision-making processes and to contribute to the political solutions. How is the youth movement answering to these developments and what is its role?

The café aimed at debating and identifying regional and sub-regional practices and understandings of “Democratic Citizenship”, collecting aspirations of the youth movement and mapping proposals for joint advocacy and action. Citizenship can be perceived as simply the legal status in a country, but democratic citizenship refers to much more. It is not limited to the citizen‟s legal status and to the voting right this status implies. It includes all aspects of life in a democratic society.

Democratic citizenship is about inclusion rather than exclusion, participation rather than marginalization, culture and values rather than simple procedural issues (such as voting) and is about being active in shaping understandings and practices of citizenship. It is therefore related to a vast range of topics such as sustainable development, participation of people with disabilities in society, gender mainstreaming, human rights observance, and many other areas.



Democracies are based on the principles of freedom, right to choose and equal access to opportunities; it is built on the belief that people should work together to make each other's lives better. But because democratic principles and rights depend always on the societies, human beings must ensure that values and principles are passed from generation to

generation and daily shared among each other. Knowledge and intercultural dialogue are possibly the most important features of democratic citizenship. The practice has showed us already that youth organisations are important actors for its dissemination and implementation and can make a difference on how young people perceive themselves, the other and the world. This is done mainly through educational activities/processes and non-formal and informal learning.

In fact, education for democratic citizenship means education, training, dissemination, information, practices and activities which aim, by equipping learners with knowledge, skills, understanding and molding their attitudes and behaviour, to empower them to exercise and defend their democratic rights and responsibilities in society, to value diversity and to play an active part in democratic life, with a view to the promotion and protection of democracy and the rule of law.

Other panelists at the world café

Some of the guiding questions for discussion included the following:

1. What is democratic citizenship? 2. What good practices of democratic citizenship do you know? 3. How can you activate democratic citizenship in non democratic contexts? 4. How can social media contribute in promoting democratic citizenship? 5. What role do civil society organizations have to play in promoting democratic

citizenship? 6. In which way can the Africa-Europe Cooperation process contribute to democratic

citizenship?

Some outcomes that emerged from the café include:

Active citizenship through education and participation in democratic political processes and beyond

Volunteerism versus active citizenship International cooperation and partnership to create global citizens with common

vision for democracy



Roles of citizens and the state in promoting democracy with rights and responsibilities

The place of religion in democratic citizenship Democracy is about freedom, choices and working together. It involves entails

promoting and defending rights and responsibilities with respect for diversity. Jorge Carlos Fonseca

Democratic citizenship entails creating spaces for participation, involvement in actual democratic processes and influencing decisions. Jorge Carlos Fonseca

The North-South Centre will soon launch an online training course on democratic citizenship

Nelson with His Excellency Hon. Jorge Carlos Fonseca , the President of Cape Verde

Open Space The open space platform is an opportunity for the participants to propose topics for discussion with other participants. The content could come from issue the participants would

have wished to have on the programme of that they feel important for discussion. It could also be an opportunity to share best practices in youth work and cooperation. The discussions are proposed and facilitated by the participants themselves based on the following rules of open space discussions:

Whoever comes is the right person Whenever it starts, it‟s the right time



Whatever happened is the only thing that could have happened When it‟s over, it‟s over The law of two feet: When you feel like moving on, you move.

Participants listen to the rules of open space discussion from trainer, Federica Cicala

Employing the rules above, the participants discussed “How can our organizations cooperate in the framework of the Africa-Europe Cooperation?” . The following topics were discussed:

1. Building a World Voluntary Service project to promote stronger North-South and South-South exchanges (Hosted by Janice, Nelson and Hywell)

2. Youth and Post 2015 Agenda: Advocating for a multi-sectoral approach with greater youth involvement (Hosted by Waruguru and Eliza)

3. Organizing Youth in Politics: Needs and structures for involvement and development

of youth participation in sustainable political systems and agenda (Hosted by Sandra and Judith)

4. Using Intercultural Exchange to address MDGs and Post 2015 agenda. (Hosted by Bert)

5. Campaign on Youth Unemployment: Advocating for paid internships in the United Nations and other International Youth Organizations (Hosted by Faith and Rachael)

6. Conflict Prevention by Youth Work in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Hosted by Ignace)

Visit to Local Organizations and to Mindelo There was provided an opportunity for the participants to visit other local organizations in Mindelo. The visit started at the chambers of the Mayor of Sao Vicente Island, Mr. Agusto Neves. The participants had a brief meeting with the mayor before proceeding to visit local organizations in Mindelo.

Some participants visited the SOS Children‟s Centre, Local Youth Centre and other went to a Biodiversity Conservation Project. This provided another space for shared learning and a greater understanding of the city of Mindelo. After the visit, the participants went for swimming session in one of the beautiful beaches of Sao Vicente.



Nelson with His Worship Hon. Agusto Neves, Mayor of Sao Vicente Island

Some participants of the 5th AUYD at SOS Children’s Village in Mindelo



Evaluation and Presentation of Certificates At the end the participants took time to evaluate the training. The evaluation was aimed at assessing the extent to which the items in the programme were tackled, course objectives met, methodologies used as well as the effectiveness of the trainers.

Participants busy completing the evaluation questionnaires at the end of the training course

Upon completion of the evaluation process, participants were presented with certificates by the trainers. This signified their successful completion of the training course. Closing Ceremony of the 5th AUYD The official closing ceremony of the 5th Africa University on Youth Development took place on the evening of Thursday, 9th May 2013 at the Mindelo Cultural Centre. In attendance were participants from all the partner activities of the university. The panelists included representatives from European Youth Forum, PYU, NIYOA, Portuguese Youth Forum, Cape Verdean Youth Federation and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries. Also in attendance was AndreIa Henriques from the North-South Centre. The Chief Guest was His Worship Hon. Agusto Neves, the Mayor of Sao Vicente. He officially closed the university by thanking all who helped to make the 5th AUYD successful. He further challenged the participants to become multipliers of the lessons learned for greater youth participation in

development and stronger Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation.



A local high school staging a performance at the closing ceremony

L-R: Helmer Fortes, Andreia Henriques, Agusto Neves, Mayor of Sao Vicente (centre) at the closing ceremony

OUTCOMES Based on the discussions of the open space discussions the participants identified concrete action plans that would help follow up on the lessons of the training. This was done in teams leading to the following project proposals.

1. Stop Making us Work for You Without Pay (Campaign for Paid Internships) 2. Conflict Prevention and Transformation in Sub Saharan Africa (Peace and Conflict

Prevention Campaign) 3. World Voluntary Service Programme (North-South & South-South Exchange) 4. Youth Political Cooperation (Platform for Political Youth Engagement in Africa and

Europe)

5. Youth and Post 2015 Development Agenda (Platform for Youth Involvement in Shaping the Post 2015 Agenda)

6. Global Network for Intercultural Exchange (Promoting Intercultural Exchange for the Attainment of MDGs and Post 2015 Agenda)

The proposals were drafted to include: project title, objectives, organizations involved, descriptions, action plan, expected outcomes, monitoring and evaluation. The various teams



would take up the projects and follow up on them under the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation platform.

CONCLUSION After a week of living and learning together it was finally time to part ways. It was a week full of lots of learning, discovery of Cape Verdean culture through drumming, music and dance as well as lots of non-formal interactions and building of friendships. The challenge now remains how to translate the lessons into actions that would go on to influence policies and support advocacy and improvement of youth work. This calls for the transfer of knowledge and competences amongst a wider audience of young people to build

capacities for further engagement towards a more democratic world. The Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation provides an important platform for global and intercultural dialogue for the promotion of a stronger global youth partnership for development. Supported by the Africa-Europe Youth Cooperation online resource centre (www.aeyco.com), the cooperation presents immense opportunity and hope for not only Africa and Europe but also for the entire world.

Report Compiled by

Nelson Ochieng Opany

WOSM Africa and NIYOA Representative (Kenya)

Cell: +254 726 951 296, Email: [email protected], Web: www.scout.org

L-R: Ignace Diessongo (Burkina Faso), Faith Odhiambo-Pax Romana(Kenya), Marwa Abdo-PYU (Sudan), Judith

Mulwa-Global Young Greens (Kenya) and Nelson Opany-WOSM (Kenya) when they met Chantal Bengaly-NIYOA

Chairperson from Mali (2nd from left) in Dakar, Senegal on transit from Cape Verde

9th africa europe training course for youth organizations report (personal)

Documents

contribution of youth

african university of

youth organizations

africaeurope youth summits

youth development strategies

african diaspora youth

global youth work

european youth forum