INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

African Union gears up towards the 4th Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports

WHAT: The Fourth (4th) Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS4)

WHERE: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WHEN: 18^th – 19^th May, 22^nd – 26^th May 2023

WHO: The African Union Commission’s (AUC) Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHASD) are convening the 4^th STC on Youth, Culture and Sports.   

Why: The STC-YCS4 theme is AU at 60: Unlocking and Scaling Innovation For AfCFTA Implementation Through Youth, Culture and Sports. It will provide a common platform for senior officials, experts and Ministers of Youth, Culture and Sports to review progress made on the implementation of decisions of the STC-YCS3; deliberate and report on the implementation of activities on the theme of the STC-YCS4 and the AU theme of the year, as well as develop key strategies and recommendations for the role of young people in the promotion of the arts, culture and sport sectors as an essential tool for economic growth in Africa.

The STC-YCS4 will consider, among other matters, the Gender Equity and Youth Quota Initiative of the AUC, an update on the African Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (APAYE) 2019 – 2023, progress made in the establishment of the Great Museum of Africa: a flagship project of Agenda 2063, the Dar es Salam Framework for Action for Kiswahili as a Language of Wider Communication in Africa and progress on preparations for the Accra 2023 African Games.

The STC-YCS4 will be preceded by a Youth Consultation Forum, to be held on 19^th May 2023, at the African Union Headquarters under the theme “Taking 1 Million to the Next Level: Scaling Up Youth Development Initiatives for Impact”. The Forum will convene youth from across Africa and aims to facilitate peer to peer and inter-country learning among youth and experts on issues most pertinent to African youth. The findings and recommendations from the Forum will be presented to the STC and inform youth programming.   

• 18^th - 19^th May:         Pre-Conference activities
• 22^th - 25^th:                  Meeting of Experts
• 26^th May:                    Meeting of Ministers

Objectives:

1. Review progress made on the implementation of the decisions of the 3^rd Specialized Technical Committee Meeting on Youth, Culture and Sport (STC-YCS3);
2. Deliberate on the theme of the STC-YCS4;
3. Report on the ratification, domestication, and progress made on the implementation of instruments and policies on Youth, Culture and Sports.
4. Present the outcomes of the Pre-STC consultations;
5. Discuss lessons learned, priorities, innovations and opportunities on the three sectors;
6. Set direction for development and advancement in Youth, Culture and Sports sectors in the coming two years.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Activity reports on the implementation of the decisions of the 3rd Specialized Technical Committee Meeting on Youth, Culture and Sport (STC-YCS3) presented and discussed;
2. The theme of the STC-YCS4 deliberated on; with key strategies and recommendations for the promotion of arts, culture, heritage and sport as  essential tools for youth development in Africa outlined;
3. The status of ratification, domestication and implementation status of the AU instruments on Youth, Culture and Sports reported on and discussed;
4. The outcomes of the Pre-STC consultations presented, discussed and validated;
5. Lessons learned, priorities, innovations and opportunities on the three sectors outlined;
6. Priorities for development of Youth Culture and Sports sectors identified and adopted. 

Media representatives are invited to cover the 4^th Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports Affairs

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Nontobeko Tshabalala, Communications Officer – AUC Youth Division via E-mail: NontobekoT@africa-union.org

Ms. Maya Katema, Communications – AUC Sports Division via E-mail : KatemaM@africa-union.org

For media inquiries contact:

Ms. Faith Adhiambo, Communications Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, Africa Union Commission E-mail: OchiengJ@africa-union.org

Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar, Senior Communication Officer, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org