Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. CYP Africa Home
  2. About Us
    1. Meet the Team
    2. Our Programmes
  3. What's New
  4. Events
  5. Documents
  6. Youth Caucus
    1. Botswana
    2. Cameroon
    3. Ghana
    4. Malawi
    5. Nigeria
    6. Mauritius
    7. Seychelles
    8. South Africa
    9. Tanzania
    10. United Kingdom
    11. Zambia
    12. Alumni Contacts
  7. Staff Email
  8. Feedback
  9. Regional Centres
    1. Africa
    2. Asia
    3. Caribbean
    4. Pacific
  10. CYP Home
Grand Opening to Africa RAB 2007

Grand Opening to Africa RAB 2007

23 October 2007

Victoria, Mahe the capital of Seychelles was a hive of activities as delegation to the 2007 Africa Regional Advisory Board (RAB) and Regional Youth Caucus (RYC) meeting met from 28th of September to 3rd October, 2007.

 

The 2007 meeting themed 'Youth Mainstreaming' was officially opened by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. James Mitchel. Also present at the opening ceremony where Seychelles government officials. The superb opening was characterisedby music and dance performances by Seychellois renowned musicians and dance groups.

 

'This meeting is for me, first and foremost, about empowering our youth - in Seychelles, in Africa and in the Commonwealth. Our young people are not simply agents for whom we legislate, but for whom we make provision. Our young people are active agents of development,' President James Mitchel said in his opening remarks. The President further emphasisedthat education was the first key to fostering youth empowerment and as such, the Republic of Seychelles now had a comprehensive education system where they provide free universal education. He also added that strong youth leadership on issues such as drug trafficking and use or the spread of disease and illnesses is a key part of the battle.

 

'Through such leadership, we can make a real difference. Youth leadership is thus also central to improved governance. Too often, governance is treated respectively in terms of maintaining the rule of law. But governance is also about providing the necessary opportunities to foster development. I will complete the circle by stressing that the key to good governance is empowerment,' said President Mitchel.

 

CYP Africa Regional Director, Mrs Valencia Mogegeh thanked the Government of the republic of Seychelles for hosting the RAB meeting. She stressed CYP's commitment to empowering young people through their meaningful engagement and participation; and using their views, experiences and needs as foundational elements for programme development.

 

'Central to these efforts is the equal commitment by Commonwealth governments to ensure space for young people to contribute to national development at all levels and in all spheres,' Mrs. Mogegeh said.

 

And the 2005 - 2007 RYC Africa Coordinator, Batsho Nthoi in his remarks spoke about the 'Role of Youth in Development'. 'Youth and development are not mutually exclusive concepts. Youth is the oil that lubricates development. Without the youth, the fundamental need for development is non existence,' Mr Nthoi said.

 

The 2007 Africa RAB had attendance from nineteen (19) Commonwealth Africa region countries.

 

The closing ceremony was graced by the Seychelles Minister of Community Development, Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs, Mr. Vincent Meriton.

Share this page
About this