With the participation of Libya, activities were concluded Shape Africa Summit 2024″Africa Youth Summit”in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, at the headquarters of the African Union, in the presence of 35 African countries, on the evening of Saturday, November 16, 2024, under the title “Africa Committee for the Future.”
The State of Libya was represented in the chairmanship of the committee by the Minister of Youth, Fathallah El-Zani, the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for African Affairs, along with an elite group of African ministers, officials and youth leaders, led by the Special Envoy of the President of the African Union for Youth Affairs, Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mbemba.
The consultations of the “Africa Committee for the Future” focused on several prominent points, the most important of which are:
- Youth and Sustainable Development in Africa: Highlighting the importance of engaging youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing their role as a key driver of progress.
- Youth at the heart of peace, security and leadership: Discussing policies that support youth participation in promoting peace, security and leadership within the African Union.
- Youth programs and policies to advance development and protection: reviewing best practices to enhance the role of youth and protect them from economic and social challenges.
- Key solutions and partnerships to achieve Africa Agenda 2063 and the Future Charter: Focus on regional and international partnerships to achieve Africa’s future vision, especially with regard to youth empowerment.
The Minister of Youth in the Government of National Unity, Fathallah Al-Zani, also presented “a special intervention that focused on empowering young people and communicating their voices to decision-making centers, reflecting the experience of the Life Return Project, which was launched by the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba, founder of the local youth councils in Libya, to empower Libyan youth politically, describing the project.” “It is consistent with the objectives of the 2063 Africa Development Plan.”
Al-Zani pointed out that “Africa possesses great wealth, but its greatest wealth of all is its youth.”
He added, “African countries must rise above small matters and focus on major issues that contribute to the continent’s development and prosperity.”
The Minister reviewed the achievements of the Libyan Ministry of Youth in the field of youth empowerment, pointing to the formation of local youth councils in various regions of Libya, an achievement that reflects a strategic vision to create a new leadership generation. These councils were not just an idea, but rather became a real platform for involving youth in local decision-making. And work to address the issues of their communities effectively.”
He pointed out that the Ministry of Youth provided tangible support to enable these councils to perform their role, by providing training and qualification programs that enhance leadership and planning skills, in addition to providing the necessary resources to activate their role on the ground. He stressed that these initiatives constitute a model that African countries can follow to enhance youth participation in development and decision-making.
The summit concluded by emphasizing the importance of joint work to achieve the goals of Africa’s Agenda 2063, and supporting the role of youth as an essential element for achieving development, peace and stability on the continent. A high-level Libyan delegation headed by the Minister of Youth, Mr. Fathallah Al-Zani, also participated in the summit activities, and its membership included representatives of the Ministry of Youth and youth leaders in local youth councils, which highlights Libya’s firm commitment to enhancing the role of youth in development and decision-making.”
#Return_of_life | Towards a bright future for Africa: Libyan youth diplomacy leads political consultation with the conclusion of the Shape Africa Summit…
Posted byMinistry of Youth – LibyaIn Sunday, November 17, 2024
Last updated: November 17, 2024 – 12:50
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What are the main objectives of the Life Return Project in Libya to empower youth?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to Time.news! Today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Fathallah El-Zani, the Minister of Youth in Libya, who played a pivotal role in the recent Shape Africa Summit 2024 held in Addis Ababa. Minister El-Zani, thank you for joining us.
Minister El-Zani: Thank you for having me. It’s an honor to discuss the summit and the vital role of youth in Africa’s future.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. The summit brought together representatives from 35 African countries under the banner of the “Africa Committee for the Future.” What were the key themes addressed during the discussions?
Minister El-Zani: One of the major themes was the significance of youth engagement in sustainable development. We explored how young people are essential drivers for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, we focused on the roles of youth in fostering peace and security across the continent, and the importance of implementing policies that empower them in leadership positions.
Interviewer: That sounds remarkably forward-thinking. Can you elaborate on the specific challenges the summit aimed to address regarding youth in Africa?
Minister El-Zani: Certainly. We discussed the need for youth programs and policies that not only advance development but also protect young people from economic and social challenges. Many African nations face issues such as unemployment and lack of opportunities, which can lead to disillusionment. It’s crucial we address these to keep our youth engaged and motivated.
Interviewer: The future indeed seems heavily reliant on the youth. You mentioned a project called the Life Return Project, initiated by Prime Minister Al-Dabaiba. How does this initiative contribute to empowering Libyan youth?
Minister El-Zani: The Life Return Project is aimed at giving young Libyans a voice in decision-making processes. By establishing local youth councils, we are giving young people real opportunities to influence the future of their communities. These councils facilitate discussions on local issues and gather youth opinions, thus creating a direct line to policymakers.
Interviewer: How has the reaction been from young Libyans to this initiative? Are you seeing tangible results?
Minister El-Zani: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. The local youth councils have not only provided a platform for their voices but also encouraged proactive participation in community development. We have implemented training and qualification programs to enhance their leadership and planning skills, which are already yielding results in their respective communities.
Interviewer: Africa is rich in resources, yet Minister, you highlighted in your address that the continent’s greatest wealth is its youth. Can you expand on that thought?
Minister El-Zani: Absolutely. Africa’s potential lies within its young population. If we can harness their energy, creativity, and knowledge, we can drive innovation and growth. However, it requires a collective effort from all African nations to prioritize youth empowerment and to rise above trivial concerns to tackle the pressing issues that can lead to real prosperity.
Interviewer: With the conclusion of the summit, what are the next steps for the Africa Committee for the Future in terms of action and implementation?
Minister El-Zani: Following our discussions, our priority is to forge strong regional and international partnerships to implement the strategies we’ve developed, particularly aimed at youth empowerment. We aim to establish a framework in line with the Africa Agenda 2063 to ensure that our young leaders have the necessary tools and opportunities to shape the continent’s future.
Interviewer: It sounds like there’s a solid plan in motion! Lastly, what message would you like to convey to the youth of Africa?
Minister El-Zani: I want the youth of Africa to understand their power. They are not just the future; they are the present. Their voices matter, and by engaging in their communities and step into leadership roles, they can truly effect change. Together, we can build a brighter future for our continent.
Interviewer: Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today, Minister El-Zani. It’s inspiring to hear about the initiatives aimed at empowering African youth and fostering development.
Minister El-Zani: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics. I look forward to seeing how our collective efforts will shape Africa’s future.