KAMPALA – The Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Uganda has launched the EU-Uganda Youth Sounding Board (YSB), a ground-breaking initiative that aims to create real, long-lasting change in how the EU engages with young people in its policy work and cooperation around the world.
This youth-centric platform will provide a unique opportunity for young Ugandans to voice to the EU their perspectives, ideas, and concerns on critical issues affecting their lives and communities.
The EU-Uganda YSB, inaugurated on Wednesday, August 30, will advocate for youth-centered policies and initiatives, ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of the younger generation are integrated into the EU’s development cooperation.
Through the EU-Uganda Youth Sounding Board, the EU seeks to amplify the voices of young people and ensure that their opinions are heard and valued in decision-making processes, said Ambassador Jan Sadek, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda.
Mr. Sadek expressed enthusiasm for the historic launch of 20 member YSB, noting the will advise the EU on issues related to youth empowerment and participation in development processes.
“The Youth Sounding Board will serve as a knowledge hub for the EU in Uganda to exchange information and share ideas on youth issues,” he said during a launch presided over by Ugandan Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi.
He said the EU-Uganda Youth Sounding Board is a space for young people to have an influence on the EU’s external action through its international partnerships in critical areas including Green Alliances and Partnerships, Alliances for Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Digital, Alliances for Sustainable Growth and Jobs, Migration Partnerships, Governance, Peace and Security, Human Development.
The EU-Uganda Youth Sounding Board has three pillars of action:
Engage: Increase young people’s voices in EU policy and decision-making including programming at all levels through constructive dialogue.
Connect: Foster opportunities for young people to network and exchange with their peers.
Empower: The platform will empower young Ugandans by providing them with a space to express their views on matters that directly impact their lives, such as education, employment, social justice, climate action, and sustainable development.
Amb. Sadek said the EU believes that young people must be involved in shaping and implementing the EU’s external action.
He added that the EU and the Ugandan government have agreed to help create job opportunities for young people and also encourage them to participate in the democratic process.
At the global youth sounding board, John Jessy Nabundesi, a young Ugandan was selected as one of the 25 young people from across the world to work with the EU’s Commissioner for International Partnerships.
He was selected through an open call that resulted in 4,000 applications from more than 150 countries.
“The Youth Sounding Board members will participate in their individual capacity, serve a mandate of two years, and meet on a quarterly basis. They will advise the EU on issues related to youth empowerment and participation in development processes. The Youth Sounding Board will serve as a knowledge hub for the EU in Uganda to exchange information and share ideas on youth issues. The Youth Sounding Board will also benefit from capacity-building activities such as leadership, advocacy and networking,” Amb. Sadek said.
The Youth Sounding Board is a space for young people to have an influence on the EU’s external action through its international partnerships. The board will help make EU action more participatory, relevant, and effective for young people in Uganda across all political priorities.
Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development said the EU has been a worthy partner in youth development and investment, stressing that “the continuous engagement of our youth is the only way we can meet them at the point of their needs.”
She noted that the 20 youths that were picked went through a credible process and charged them to be worthy ambassadors of the country, adding that the launch of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Uganda is a big opportunity for the youth.
“I believe that listening to the voices of the young people is a very good start and of course, to have a solid future. For the youth of Uganda, I believe this initiative offers an inspiring example of what can be achieved when young voices are valued and included,” the Minister said during the inauguration of the board.
“We expect you that as you dialogue with and advise the EU delegation you will do it with integrity and the heart of the young people of this country. We expect you to propose critical areas and to advocate for projects and programs that are responsive to the needs and the rights of our young people. I therefore implore you, as you take on this new responsibility to ensure that you equip yourselves with the relevant and up-to-date information, especially from the thematic areas that you have selected,” she added.
Howard Mwesigwa, the chairperson of the inaugural Youth Sounding Board said the board will inform and shape the Uganda-EU Development Cooperation, to ensure that it is youth-centric and alive to the true needs and aspirations of the Youth in Uganda, as a focus group.
He said each of the Members of the Board has been mandated a lead of a particular thematic area including Climate, Environment and energy, Gender, Human Rights, Skilling, and Jobs.
Under his leadership, he said his administration will prioritize the adoption of a youth-centric approach in the EU’s targeted cooperation agenda focusing on green and climate transition, sustainable growth and jobs, democratic governance, and social inclusion.
