Youth AfriCamp

Organized by the OSI Youth Initiative, AfriCamp focused on building the advocacy capacity of youth in analyzing and responding to issues that affect their communities.  Among the themes were:

• youth and new media;
• African Youth Charter; 
• African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The format included a weeklong combination of presentations, training sessions and breakaway sessions for direct peer consultation for those working on similar issues or issues of interest. Training sessions  consisted of outside facilitators procured by the OSI Youth Initiative as well as peer-to-peer trainings. The event culminated with an afternoon-long advocacy concert featuring local artists.

Participants at the AfriCamp included 18-29 year olds engaged in various initiatives in their respective countries. Participants were from Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone countries. A total of 23 countries were represented: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Angola, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Sudan, Somalia, Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Chad, Namibia and the Gambia. Energy, enthusiasm, versatility and innovativeness were characteristic of the week long event, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, religion and country of origin.

Experiences and ideas were exchanged, strengthening some and challenging others. The primary theme that emerged from AfriCamp was that it is vital for African youth to play a meaningful role in the betterment of their communities, countries, and the entire continent, and only by working together can their goals be realized.