Pan-African Parliament hosts virtual public lecture
MIDRAND – Young Africans were invited to participate in a virtual lecture at the Pan African Parliament.
The Pan-African Parliament (Pap) based in Midrand held its first virtual public lecture recently under the theme: The Role of the African Youth in Achieving the Mandate of the Pap.
Pap media officer, Jeffrey Onganga explained that young Africans took part in engagements with members of the continental parliament, signalling their readiness to participate in the building of the African Union (AU), while also calling on Pap to facilitate their inclusion in spheres of decision-making around the continent.
“The Pap virtual lecture was held in line with the commitment to engage with Africans from diverse backgrounds, representing a wealth of ideas and experiences,” he said.
“As part of this event, selected young Africans were given a platform to make submissions and engage with members of the Pap on various topics in relation to their role within the framework of the mandate of the Pap.”
Onganga added that they recently concluded engagements focused on students in tertiary institutions with the aim to empower them with knowledge on Pap and its intended function as a legislative organ of the AU.
“The webinar featured a presentation by Pap’s vice president, honourable chief Fortune Charumbira discussing the Pap’s mandate, as well as the place it gives to young people in the execution of its prerogatives.
“Their presentations included the Pap’s role in promoting the interests of young people and their political participation at the AU level; how the Pap can leverage digitalisation to engage the youth; the role of the Pap in mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the youth; and ways the Pap can effectively involve the youth in the promotion of peace and security on the continent especially in line with the AU theme of the year 2020.”
Onganga added that the honourable Dr Tapiwa Mashakada, a member of Zimbabwe’s National Assembly, gave a response to the submissions, sought to emphasise the nexus between youth and the mandate of Pap, while further discussing some of the steps taken by Pap to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on young people.
“As the Pap, we have urged members to ensure that AU member states allocate adequate funding to cater for healthcare and education systems when budgets are submitted to parliaments for consideration,” said Onganga.
“The Pap has resolved to use its control over national budgets to make the plight of young people a priority in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic because we understand that the youth will be badly affected.”
He added that the meeting was concluded by the acting clerk of Pap, Gali Massa Harou who thanked both the youth and members of parliament for their contributions.
Harou assured everyone that all the inputs submitted as part of this meeting on how Pap can best involve the youth, would form part of a report to be submitted to members of Pap for further action.
Details: Pan-African Parliament media officer Jeffrey Onganga 011 545 5000.
