The African Youth Charter was approved by African Ministers in charge of Youth and endorsed by African Union, Heads of State and Government as a legal framework of action for African youth. The Charter was launched by Chairperson of the AUC. The charter is meant to provide guidance for the development of youth policy at national level. The charter highlights the rights, responsibilities and duties of youth and draws from various international agreements and commitments.

Member States committed through the charter to undertake critical actions to improve the status of young people in their countries.to ensure that issues affecting youth in the areas of employment, sustainable livelihood, education, health, youth participation, national youth policy, peace and security, law enforcement. Youth in the Diaspora and youth with disabilities are addressed in national youth policies and programmes.

Urgent actions are expected from each country to ensure the role of the Charter, such as: Popularization, Signature, Ratification, Adherence and implementation. Nineteen months (19) after its adoption, only eight (8) Countries have signed the Charter: Burundi, Republic of Benin, Mali, Rwanda, Nigeria, Togo, Gabon & Ethiopia; Only three (3) Countries have ratified the charter: Rwanda, Mali & Gabon. Many countries are popularizing the Charter in order to inform all stakeholders.

ACCELERATION IS NEEDED to address challenges and increase awareness, to build the capacity of national institutions and young people towards the ratification of the charter, to undertake advocacy efforts to promote and improve partnership and to ensure effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation of actions & strategies and measure progress.

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