MEDIA ADVISORY

UGANDA TO HOST FIRST-EVER AFRICAN YOUTH FORUM

Young representatives from 53 African Union countries invited to attend AYF in July

WHAT: Official Launch of the African Youth Forum (AYF) Media Campaign

WHEN: Tuesday, 22 June, 2010 / 10.30-11.30hrs

WHERE: Uganda Media Centre, Clement Hill Road, Kampala

WHO: - Rt. Hon. Prof. Apollo R. Nsibambi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
- Hon. Jessica Alupo Epel, Minister of State for Children & Youth Affairs
- Mr. F.K. Mondo, AYF Co-ordinator, Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development
- Catherine Mary Namirembe (19), Ugandan AYF Delegate (Eastern Uganda)
- Ahmed Shaban Mugweri, (28), Ugandan AYF Delegate (Kampala)

WHY: In 2009, UNICEF Uganda fronted the idea of Uganda hosting an African Youth Forum alongside the
African Union Summit in Kampala, in July 2010. The idea was welcomed by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and later endorsed by the HE President of Uganda, and the African Union Commission in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. Planning is now underway for the first-ever continental meeting of young Africans,
which will take place in Entebbe, 17-19 July 2010.

The Forum intends to attract at least two (2) young people, aged 16-29 years, from all the 53 AU
member countries, who will gather to raise their views and concerns around maternal and child health
issues and development in Africa. They will also discuss other issues of concern for young people,
such as employment, poverty and the environment. About 110 delegates are expected to participate in
the Forum.

The African Youth Forum aims to eventually become a regular meeting alongside future AU Summits,
so that young people’s recommendations will regularly be considered. For this reason, the AYF theme
is: “Achieving Maternal and Child Health Goals – African Youth Call for Action” , to resonate with
that of the main AU Summit: “Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development”.

Under the co-leadership of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Gender-Labour-Social
Development (MGLSD), UNICEF and UNFPA, together with several civil society organisations are
playing an active role in preparations for the Forum.

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. F.K. Mondo, AYF Co-ordinator, Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development, 0776000909, kyateka@yahoo.com
Mrs. Grace Ekudu, UNICEF Uganda AYF Coordinator, UNICEF Kampala, +256 417 171 151; gekudu@unicef.org
Ms. Anne Lydia Sekandi, Communication Officer, UNICEF Kampala, +256 417 171 112; alsekandi@unicef.org

[See programme on pg. 2]

Media Launch programme:

09.30 - AYF team arrives to set up venue

10.00 - Youth delegates arrive
10.15 - Media representatives & other guests arrive
10.25 - Prime Minister arrives
10.30 - Media Briefing commences / Introductions & Welcome (Director, Media Centre)
10.45 - Background to AYF (Mr. F.K. Mondo, AYF Co-ordinator, Ministry of Gender, Labour &
Social Development)
10.55 - Catherine Namirembe (19), AYF Delegate: Why young people's voices matter
11.00 - Ahmed Shaban Mugweri (28), AYF Delegate: Why young people's voices matter
11.05 - Prime Minister's remarks
11.15 - Media Q & A
11.25 - Wrap up & conclusion
11.30 - Departure

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