CYP Africa participates in the Private-Public Partnership Launch

The MSYCD in 2007 partnered with UNICEF and Barclays Bank to train, equip and revive the YRCs in four Provinces of Zambia namely – Katembula YRC on the Copperbelt, Samfya YRC in Luapula Province, Kaoma YRC in Western Province and Timba in Northern Province.

This agreement over the years has spread to other YRCs and it is envisaged that it will cater for all the 16 National YRCs across Zambia and CYP RCA has effectively positioned itself as a valuable partner in this public-private-partnership programme to support capacity building efforts for youth development in the resource centres across Zambia and beyond and also use this opportunity to showcase and share best practice in other commonwealth countries. One of the outputs will be mainstreaming an already developed manual to specifically focus on youth.  To date, through this programme close to 600 youths have been trained in entrepreneurship and business management at various youth centres.

Speaking at this function, Mr. James odit mentioned that among other objectives that CYPs’ approach to ensuring youth development is achieved is to address the issue of unemployment among young people. He said that, CYP promotes employment creation and sustainable livelihoods for all youth through youth entrepreneurship and self-employment. Through this, the CYP builds the capacity of young people to set up and manage their own businesses. He re-affirmed the commitment of CYPRCA to ensuring that all youth resource centres in Zambia and the Africa Region receive the capacity to mainstream Youth Entrepreneurship training into all skills development curricula in schools, training institutions and youth centres as contained in the Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment (PAYE) 2007-2015.

And Barclays Bank Managing Director Zafar Masud observed that although young people are vulnerable they possess great potential for the country’s future. He emphasised that through this partnership young people will improve their lives once they receive assistance in accessing education and entrepreneurship skills. He further committed five million pounds spread over a period of three years.

Meanwhile, officiating at this signing ceremony was acting minister of Sport – Mr. Ronald Mukuma who employed all stakeholders to consider employing young people in various roles in their organisations so as to help them implement and develop more skills in practice.

UNICEF representative Mr Gabriel Fernandez pledged the organisations commitment to ensuring that young people attain a brighter future. According to him, the training programmes at the various YRCs across the country have great potential of changing many lives in the local communities.

The delegation team took some time to tour the YRC facilities led by the Minister Hon Mukuma. The centre manager took the team around the workshop (Metal Fabrication), conference hall and the tailoring shop. The centre also has facilities for sports and recreation.

CYP reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical and other necessary support to the ministry in ensuring this initiative succeeds.