African Youth Initiative and Creativity Awards (AYICA) 2009: Portia Kimberley Sithole Come tops
Portia Sithole (25), a final year Economic History student at the University of Zimbabwe will represent Zimbabwe at the second edition of the African Youth Initiative and Creativity Awards (AYICA) 2009 after her presentation was judged to be the best by the Parliamentary Portifolio Committee on Youth, Gender and Community Development. Portia, alongside six other finalists appeared before the Parly Committee on Friday 19 June 2009 at Parliament of Zimbabwe, to address, present and defend their essay works. Portia's presentation on ‘Key considerations on African Youth Policy Initiatives' was judged to be the best. Her presentation and Video has since been sent to the AU Commission to battle it out for honours with winners from other countries. The finals of the continental competition are to be held in Ethiopia from 25-29 July 2009.
AYICA was launched on November 1, 2008, with the main objective - to popularize the African Youth Charter and encourage young people to take action and leadership in advocating for its ratification at national level. The AYICA 2009 award seek to reward young people who are able to create persuasive speeches to facilitate the ratification of the African Youth Charter, accelerate implementation of existing policies youth related policies and promote the creation of new laws, policies and frameworks to advance the development of youth in their respective countries.
The theme for this year's competition is 'African Youth promote African positive values'. In accordance with the above, the AU Commission through Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment urged young people between the ages of 15 to 35 years to take part and write essay of a maximum of 1500 words on any of their topics of choice. The topics included African Youth Charter; Citizenship and positive values; Youth policy; Youth rights and participation and Youth adult partnership.
According to The Director of Youth Development, Mr. Itai Emmanuel Muguza, seven entries were shortlisted for the final selection by the Parliamentary Portifolio Committee chaired by Hon. Matienga MP. The other shortlisted candidates were Tafadzwa Masango (18, female) a High school student,, Walter Chimene (24, male) a Public Relations executive, K. Nyamukapa (25, Male) a Data Analyst, Evidence Ndlovu (18, female) a High school student, Tichaona N. Marembo (21, Male) a school leaver and Tonderai MK Musango (32, Male) a private Business consultant.
US$750 000-00 Special Youth Funding Facility Launched
Youths with bankable business projects can now approach the Ministry with their proposals for initial screening and recommendation for funding by The Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) and the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ). This was announced by the Vice President of Zimbabwe Cde Joice Mujuru and Executive Officers of the two banks at the official launch of the Special Youth Funding Facility at Munhumutapa Building New Boardroomon on Thursday 21 May 2009.
The Fund is a micro credit window, which will enable youths to access financial resources from The Government of Zimbabwe, The Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) and the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe(IDBZ). The facility will create loan capital to eligible Zimbabwean Youths to start and/ or expand their businesses. The facility will be managed by the respective banks and the Ministry will make initial screening and monitoring of projects. The Ministry shall also provide mentorship arrangements for the youth projects.
Speaking at the launch CBZ Managing Director Dr John Gudyanga encouraged youths to use the money for the intended purposes and repay the loans on time so that the money could be used to uplift more youths. " We want youths that are able to do business and willing to pay back what they have been given, otherwise the fund will not survive" he said.
For more information on the Youth Special Funding Facility, please click here.
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Zimbabwe Ratifies The African Youth Charter
Zimbabwe has became the 14th African Country to ratify the African youth charter after His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe CDE RG Mugabe signed it on 16 March 2009 into law.
Ratification of the charter had become a matter of concern in Africa ever since African Youth and Experts representing Ministries of Youth from over 40 African countries who met in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia early last year expressed concern over the speed with which African governments are moving to ratify the African Youth Charter. The Charter, which was adopted by African Union Heads of State in 2006 had by then only been ratified by 13 governments over a period of 3 years.
‘The African continent can not afford not to ratify a charter that affects 60 percent of the continent's population which holds the key to Africa 's Future development. African Youth form the majority of the continent's population and have the skills, energy and initiative to advance the development of this continent.' said one local youth expert Youths have called governments to act fast to ratify the charter, adding that 15 ratifications were required for the Charter to come into force.
The African Youth Charter seeks to achieve the following objectives among others: to provide governments, youth, civil society and international partners with a continental framework which underlines rights, duties and freedoms of youth, to pave way for the development of national programmes and strategic plans for youths empowerment and to provide legal basis for ensuring youth presence and participation in government structures and forums at national, regional and continental levels and to provide important guidelines and responsibilities of member states for youth empowerment in key strategic areas which are rights and duties, education and skills development, health and wellbeing, youth participation, sustainable livelihoods and responsibilities of youth. The charter is also in line with the national policy framework on national development and the National Youth Policy. Ratifying the charter will provide the much needed regional, continental and global level support and partnerships in the implementation of the youth development and empowerment agenda.
Zimbabwe Houses of Assembly and Senate had approved the Charter on 4 th and 18 th of December 2007 respectively.
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