Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob urged the youth to take an active role in embracing the nation’s overarching development goals while also attending to the pressing requirements of vulnerable community members.
“Namibia’s development agenda endeavours to produce world-class, globally competitive citizens, products and services and to offer all residents a high quality of life. The premium which I place on the inclusion, empowerment and development of young people is therefore a matter of smart governance and ultimately, a sustainable development imperative,” he said.
The president made these remarks to commemorate the 2023 Africa Youth Day, observed annually on November 1, as proclaimed with the adoption of the 2006 African Youth Charter in Banjul, which Namibia ratified. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Youth-Led Movement that Transcends Borders.”
President Geingob explained that this theme highlights the African Union’s (AU) 1 million Next Level Initiative and the indispensable role of young people in building inclusive societies through the advancement of education, entrepreneurship, employment, and engagement.
The president pointed out that the AU Heads of State and Government have dedicated the year of 2024 to education in Africa, with the theme “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, equality and relevant learning in Africa.”
He emphasized the importance of focusing on education to harness the passion, creativity, curiosity, energy, and boldness of young people and to push the frontiers of knowledge and development in African countries, as young people are the future custodians of the continent’s political, governance, and socio-economic infrastructure.
President Geingob also pointed out that young people are currently living through a defining moment of the 21st century, marked by witnessing conflicts in the Middle East, unconstitutional changes of governments, and coups d’état in the Sahel region. Africa, he emphasized, is also still recovering from the profound socio-economic disruptions caused by of Covid-19.
In light of these challenges, he stressed the important role of the youth in achieving democratic ideals. He also called for efforts to enhance youth engagement through formal representation at both decision-making and implementation levels to continue.
“This is the time to uphold the enduring value of Solidarity. This is the hour to spread hope and ignite our creativity to confront the monumental challenges of our time. When historians write this chapter on Africa in the 21st Century, let it be said that it was this generation of young Africans that united in purpose and contributed towards a more inclusive, equal and prosperous continent,” the president added.
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