IGAD joined the African Union, European Union and representatives from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and participants representing wide range of interests at the world famous foreign policy institute – Chatham House at a one-day conference that examined the role of youth in the future of the Horn of Africa at which speakers from Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan will discussed how to foster youth engagement with government on key issues such as peace-building and reconciliation, education and employment.
This event was co-organized by the Chatham House Africa Programme and the British Council’s Horn of Africa Leadership and Learning for Action (HOLLA) project, which is funded by the European Union.
The IGAD Executive Secretary was represented by Senior Political Advisor, Nuur Mohamud Sheekh of the Peace and Security Division who read a statement on his behalf.
“The IGAD region is made up of about 70 percent youth and all our programmes and policies are designed to expand youth empowerment. We are convinced that the vision of turning IGAD into premier regional organization for achieving peace, prosperity and regional integration has to be driven by the youth”, said the statement of the Executive Secretary.
IGAD called upon the organisers to convene such meetings in the region and it was agreed that a similar conference will take place in Addis Ababa in July.