Building from within: A seminar for youth leaders of the African Diaspora living in Europe

The Seminar is funded by the European Youth Foundation.

In the framework of the University on Youth and Development ( uyd.me), 25 youth leaders of the African Diaspora coming from all Europe will be working on the theme of inclusion and youth rights, in the prospective of how to empower young African migrants and young people with African background to better represent their interests in our society, discussing the roles and challenges of youth organisations and networks towards a right-based approach.
There will also be a space to reflect on ways to fulfill the current gap of youth diasporas, and of the Africa youth diaspora in particular, regarding their representation in existing youth organizations, and other structures involved in decision making of youth policies.
Using non formal education, participants will work on their strengths, their needs and their active role to achieve a more inclusive society.

General Objectives:

To reinforcing and debate on regional instruments for youth rights and right based approach to youth policies, such as the African Youth Charter
and the Iberoamerican Convention on Youth Rights.

To focus on the rights young people should enjoy regarding the improvement of their well-being, health, full and decent employment, access to education, both formal and non formal, as well as their full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental
freedoms and effective participation in the society, without any forms of discrimination.

To promote dialogue between different youth organizations and organizations of Africa diaspora, to facilitate better integration of young African migrants and youth with African background into European societies;

To create the space to discuss ways that can maximize the engagement of Africa diaspora youth living in Europe, both in the countries of origin and in the host countries, and have them recognized as key development actors for European and African societies;

Specific Objectives:

Reinforce the space for dialogue between youth organizations representing local and regional Africa youth diaspora, INGYO’s, NYC’s, Pan African, European and African youth platforms and institutional actors;
To develop a better understanding of the economic, social, political and cultural situations and challenges faced by young people of the Africa Diaspora living in Europe;
Empowering young African migrants and young people with African background to represent their interests and current challenges (such as integration, identity conflict, cultural clash, stereotypes, discrimination, equality of opportunities, employment, lack of youth policies and non-involvement in the decision-making process, and education);
To acquire know-how on concepts and challenges of youth work, youth policies and institutions relevant for the Africa diaspora youth and Africa – Europe youth cooperation;
Promote cooperation between Africa diaspora youth organizations and organization working with diasporas in general, in order to identify a common agendas and reduce duplication of efforts;
Promote the participation of African youth in Diaspora in the development of European and African youth policies.
Promote intercultural learning among participants about

Participants:
Youth leaders from youth organizations working with young African migrants and migrants with African background;
Youth leaders representatives of mainstream youth organisations, national youth councils and international youth NGOs, that have the interest to involve diaspora youth organisations in their platforms;
Representatives from national and international migrants organisations that also develop work with young African migrants and migrants with African background;
Representatives of Africans organizations in Europe who demonstrate the interest to be a member of ADYNE;
Age between 18 and 30 years old (exceptions can be open when relevant).

NOTE: the selecting committee will try to reach gender balance and respect appropriate proportions about european nationality and african provenience.

Methodology:
The seminar will be based on non formal education, where through experienced facilitators we will insurance that the seminar will have a combination of methods that creates an environment that enhance the participation of all. There will be a balance between working group discussion and plenary moments. The input from invited guests will be also an added value that we expect to bring in certain moments of our program.

Expected results:
We expect to open the debate on how a right-based approach to youth can increase inclusion and grant effective enjoyment of right for all. We will reflect on the existing diversity within our European society. We believe that this activity will contribute to a deeper reflection on how existing youth organizations, national youth councils, international youth NGOs and other civil society actors in youth policy development can included the interests of Africa diaspora youth. We expect that this activity will be an important moment for discussing and developing important guidelines on how to have more participation of youth Africa diaspora on the decision making structures, insuring the added value of their contribution on the development of youth policies.

This activity will be also a moment to bring new members, partners and other stakeholders involved on the youth policy field and dealing young migrants and youth with migrant background to contribute to the development of ADYNE priorities and action plan.