Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: The African Union (AU) has launched a youth essay contest on industrialization and innovation in Africa with the opportunity to address African leaders on proposals, strategies and pathways for youth inclusion
The AU said the essay contest serves “to open up dynamic conversations and spur reflection and action by leaders on addressing issues on industrialization from the perspective of young people and push for the much-needed reforms,” the AU disclosed statement on Tuesday.
According to the 55-member pan-African bloc, all authors must sign and submit the Attestation of Authorization form.
The AU launched the essay contest aligned to the goals of Africa’s development blueprint Agenda 2063 aimed at transforming Africa’s economies through beneficiation from natural resources, manufacturing, industrialization and value addition, as well as raising productivity and competitiveness and creating opportunities for Africa’s youth for self-realization and access to jobs.
The AU said its Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification seeks to rally the continent to enhance efforts towards turning commitments into action on accelerating the pace of transforming from an import-heavy continent at a higher risk of external shocks, to an export-heavy and globally competitive continent.
“In so doing, Africa will make a substantial shift in reducing poverty, creating decent jobs for its population, particularly its women and youth, and increase the prospects for wealth creation,” the statement read.
The winner of the Essay contest will have the opportunity to address African leaders on proposals, strategies and pathways for youth inclusion and engagement on industrialization and economic diversification, that will support the creation of millions of decent jobs for the youth, and the uptake of their innovative skills and technological knowhow, it was noted.
The winner will, among other things, be issued with a certificate from the African Union and will present the essay at the Summit in November 2022.
The essay will be used as a guideline, a voice of young people and their views on the promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Innovation on the continent especially leveraging from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it was noted.
The essay should also be centered around the Summit theme “Industrializing Africa: Renewed commitment towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification,” and should elaborate the challenges and actions within the region and solutions to those challenges, it was noted.
(Photo – AU)
