President of the Pan-African Youth Union, Mr Yershen Pillay,
Members of the media present.
Welcome to this press conference on South Africa's hosting of the fourth session of the Pan-African Youth Union Congress.
South Africa will proudly host the Pan African Youth Union congress at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni from 28 to 29 November 2014.
The Presidency, through the National Youth Development Agency in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation have ensured that all systems are in place to receive about 200 delegates who will attend the conference.
The guests who will be coming from all parts of the African Continent will deliberate on issues that affect the Youth of Africa and find creative solutions to the challenges that face Africa's youth.
The PYU, as the body tasked with advancing youth development on the continent works to maintain and reinforce the values and ideals of the African Union, mainly the fostering of Unity, Peace, Democracy, Sustained Development and African Integration. The Objectives of the PYU are to inform, mobilise and build capacity of youth in Africa to be active players in the economic, social, political as well as cultural development processes on the continent.
Discussions will be focused on Agenda 2063 and advancing socio-economic development in line with the African Union's vision for the continent. The aim is to encourage debate, by all stakeholders, on how the continent, at large, can effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the advancement now underway and tactically exploit all possible opportunities available in the immediate and medium term, to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation within the next 50 years.
It is fundamental that young people remain at the forefront of these discussions and plans which is largely what this Congress aims to achieve. The plight of women on the African Continent will be considered as a fundamental priority in all discussions.
As the Government of South Africa we are ready to welcome youth leaders of the African continent to South Africa and are pleased to announce that all plans are on track for the successful hosting of this prestigious event.
All officials, executives and delegates are, at present, being warmly welcomed at OR Tambo International Airport by a team of enthusiastic NYDA, National Youth Service volunteers together with host officials who are supporting all the logistical preparations and all plans for the congress.
Young volunteers have been assigned to various support structures including hosting, ushering, airport coordination and transport, marketing, public relations and events management to ensure that the necessary care is taken to make this event a success. All volunteers have also undergone protocol training through the department of International Relations and Cooperation and are fully prepared to welcome foreign Ministers and officials.
Under the theme "Youth Moving Africa Forward”, this Pan-African Youth Union Congress aims to establish a platform for interaction amongst young people, policy-makers and social partners on youth development issues on the continent.
The following thematic areas will be addressed:
- Peace and Stability
- Education and Skills Development
- Youth Entrepreneurship Development
- International Solidarity
- The fight against HIV/AIDS on the Continent
The opening and welcome event will be hosted tomorrow, 28 November 2014 and a keynote address will be delivered by President Jacob Zuma, the gathering will also be welcomed to the province by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura and NYDA Executive Chairperson, Yershen Pillay.
The PYU will award our President Jacob Zuma, with the African Youth Peace Medal which is the PYU's highest honour awarded, by the Executive Committee of the PYU, to outstanding Africans who have contributed towards securing peace, development and the advancement of African people.
This year, the award will be bestowed upon President Jacob Zuma for his outstanding contribution to peace and international cooperation amongst African people and especially youth on the African continent.
Another special award will be bestowed on the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation at the PYU gala dinner in recognition of her work to develop young people on the continent.
We are excited to welcome our fellow African youth leaders to South Africa and Gauteng and to give them a taste of our special kind of South African 'ubuntu' and to showcase, yet again, the priority given to young people and all issues youth related.
The official opening of the PYU Summit where President Jacob Zuma is expected address delegates:
Date: 28 November 2014
Time: 8h30am
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni
And
The official gala dinner where Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana Mashabane and I will address delegates:
Date: 29 November 2014
Time: 7pm
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Ekurhuleni
Enquiries:
Matshepo Seedat
Cell: 082 679 9473
