In a move to promote the linkages between the sports economy and youth development the African Union's Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD), set up a Youth Pavilion on the sidelines of the ongoing edition of the African Games being held in Accra, Ghana, from 8-13 March

The AU Youth Pavilion at the African Games aims to serve as a central hub for youth engagement, empowerment, and capacity building. At the Pavillion, attendees will be able to participate in various activities including master classes, panel discussions and integrational dialogues.

The initiative aims further to bridge the gap between youth potential and the resources needed for their development by showcasing you led initiatives and innovations as well as equipping them to understand the requisites for obtaining funding by acquainting them with the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

The Youth Pavilion at the Games echoes similar initiatives by the WGYD which set up pavilion at key continental events in 2023 including the 3^rd Intra-African trade Fair (IATF) held in Egypt in November and the Youth Connect Africa Summit held in Kenya in December.

The focus on sports as a catalyst for youth development is evident in the Pavilion's programming  which also aligns with African Union’s the African Youth Charter and the 'One Million Next Level” agenda which is  an ambitious initiatives that  aims to empower more than 300 million young Africans by the year 2030 by focusing on Education, Entrepreneurship, Employment, Engagement, and Health as key pillars to drive youth inclusion and development.

As the African Games continue in Accra, the Youth Pavilion stands as a testament to the commitment of the African Union to invest in the potential of the continent's youth, paving the way for a brighter and more inclusive future.

About the African Games

The African Games is exclusively owned by the African Union and organised on behalf of its member states every 4 years and one year before the Olympics.

The African Games is a multi-disciplinary sporting event with over 20 sporting and brings together sports persons from across the continent who compete in various competitions including Olympic qualifiers.

This prestigious event showcases athletic talent, celebrates African cultural values and heritage, promotes solidarity, social cohesion and integration and promotes the values of Pan-Africanism. In addition, the African Games spotlight the importance of investment in sports as a driver of the economic development that will ensure Africa’s achieves the goals of Agenda 2063.

The African Union Sports Council (AUSC)is responsible for coordinating the organisation of the African Games on behalf of the African Union and partners with continental bodies including the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of Africa Sports in organising the Games.

Learn more about the mandates and statutes of the African Union Sports Council on https://au.int/en/treaties/statute-africa-sports-council

Article by Betha Madhomu, Habari Media (https://habarimedia.com) for the Information and Communication Directorate

For more information contact:

Janet Faith Adhiambo Ochieng | Communication Officer- Agenda 2063 | Information and Communication

Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: Ochiengj@Africa-union.org I Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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