The Pan African Parliament has approved a motion for the creation of a Youth Caucus intended to strengthen and consolidate efforts to empower young people in Africa.

Uganda’s newly sworn in representative Hon. Jacquiline Amongin (NRM, Ngora district) moved the motion, which came at the end of the First Session of the Third Parliament sitting in Midrand, South Africa, Thursday, October 18, 2012.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Smith Gabriel (Liberia).

Hon. Amongin observed that about 65 percent of Africa’s population is below the age of 35, which makes Africa the “most youthful continent.” She also noted that projections show that by 2020, three out of every four persons will be at an average of 20 years.

“Young Africans continue to face major difficulties regarding health, education and employment in most of the African Union Member States,” she said, adding, “the lack of requisite skills, resources and needed tools limit the overall participation of youth in local and national decision making, thus resulting into youth marginalization on the continent.”

The Pan African Parliament Youth Caucus will work along with civil society and other relevant stakeholders within African Union (AU) Member States to facilitate the ratification and implementation of the African Youth Charter.

The Caucus will also liaise with the Pan African Parliament Committee on Youth activities in working with parliaments of member countries to drive youth development agenda in keeping with the African Youth Charter.

Uganda’s other representatives to PAP are; Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal, Hon. Onyango Kakoba, Hon. Sam Awori Otada and Hon. Beatrice Barumba Rusaniya.

The other caucuses at PAP are based on regions – Eastern, Western, Southern, Central and Northern, as well as the Women Caucus.

The Pan African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union but currently exercises oversight, advisory and consultative powers.