African Union Youth Reference Committee 2023

The AU Youth Envoy and Austria National Youth Council have joined forces to establish a network of national and international youth champions to strengthen youth participation in reducing inequalities. This initiative seeks to establish a Youth Reference Committee of twenty-five (25) African and fifteen (15) European youth representatives.

These youth representatives will engage in international online and offline workshops, exchanges and consultations and attend lobbying appointments to improve the prospects of young people on the continent and beyond. In addition, the committee will contribute towards developing a youth position paper and a global toolkit for meaningful youth engagement to strengthen youth participation and reduce inequalities.

Key thematic areas:

• Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Youth Civic Engagement and Advocacy
• Climate Change, Climate Resilience & Climate Justice
• Youth in Peace, Security, Politics and Democratic Governance
• Youth and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA)
• Youth Development, Capacity Building & Bridging the Digital Skills Gender Gap for an Equal Labour Force
• Mental health and well-being of youth at risk (War, Political Instability, Forced Migration, Harmful Practices)

Responsibilities and duties of the reference committee:

• Demonstrate commitment to meaningful youth engagement in various development thematics, nationally and internationally.
• Liaise with the AU Office of the Youth Envoy and partners to define the collaboration around selected thematic and policy areas.
• Start conversations and work together with young people and relevant parties in your region and country.
• Be willing to conduct research, create products (such as podcasts), and draft youth-centred development policy advice on key thematics.
• Participate in dialogue on project topics between politicians and African and European youth.
• Participate in lobbying appointments and Co-drafting a youth position paper. Participate in Co-designing a toolkit on youth engagement from an international perspective.

About African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The main objectives of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity amongst African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation... read more... read more

Youth Reference Committee

Aim and Benefits of Youth Reference Committee

These youth representatives will engage in international online and offline workshops, exchanges and consultations and attend lobbying appointments to improve the prospects of young people on the continent and beyond. In addition, the committee will contribute towards developing a youth position paper and a global toolkit for meaningful youth engagement to strengthen youth participation and reduce inequalities.

Requirements for Youth Reference Committee Qualification

• Proficiency in any AU language
• Have a valid passport with at least six months
• Be an African residing in any African country
• Eighteen to Thirty-Five years of age at the time of application
• Actively engaged with your local community of young people, online and offline Must be willing to amplify the project in your local community of young people Flexible and open-minded to work with diverse groups of people
• Socially involved and interested in development issues and policy dialogue on ending inequalities
• Young people with experience in youth engagement and affiliated with youth- led organisations, networks or movements are encouraged to apply. 

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit AU website.