International Meeting on Youth and Politics

Transcription

1 NATIONAL SECRETARIAT Angola Office 1. INTRODUCTION International Meeting on Youth and Politics Luanda/Angola November 2006 Youth constitutes, especially in developing countries, a populational group, both growing in size as well as importance. If it is true that the youth has enormous potential for social change due to its size, it is also a reality that it faces particular challenges, like unemployment, lack of access to education and housing, just to mention a few. This not only poses huge challenges for policy formulation and implementation, but it also demonstrates the importance of involving youth in the political process, as they already have a decisive say in general elections. Furthermore, the political, economic and social implications of the demographic trends in Africa and elsewhere must be studied carefully. It is common wisdom to say that the Youth constitutes the future of a Nation. However, the Youth do not always encounter enough space to represent and articulate their legitimate interests adequately in the political process. In some countries the phenomenon of a de-politization can be observed, i.e. a lack of perspective and motivation to participate actively in political life. But without the involvement of the Youth, the State cannot develop. The promotion of Youth in politics is therefore an investment in the future. Be it as voters, active and conscious citizens, be it as political decision makers of the future, the Youth will have a word to say. A stable democracy is only possible if it is sustained and shaped by the Youth of a country. It is in this context that the Youth league of MPLA (Juventude do Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola, JMPLA) and the Friedrich Draft 12 de Outubro de

2 Ebert Stiftung, Angola Office (FES), are organizing an International Meeting on the topic Youth and Politics which will take place from the 27 th to 29 th of Novembre, The meeting aims at strengthening the exchange of experience among some Youth organizations of progressive and socialist parties in Africa, South America and Europe, on different topics deemed to be of special interest to the Youth, such as the participation structures and the influence of Youth on the political process as well as the policies addressing youth issues. During the meeting, these topics will be addressed through a general and open debate, where each participating youth league delegation will expose the experience of their respective country. 2. OBJECTIVES To strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations between JMPLA and its counterpart organizations; To promote the exchange of experiences in electoral issues, as well as in political participation in general, thus enhancing capacity for leaders of youth organizations of progressive political parties. 3. PARTICIPANTS JMPLA: Members of the National Secretariate and assistants of the National Secretariate (15 participants); JUSOS, Young socialists, Germany (2 Participantes); ANC Youth League, Republic of South Africa (2 Participants); SWAPO Youth League, Namíbia (2 Participants); PARTIDO TRABALHISTA Youth League, BRASIL (1 Participant); Democratic Republic of Congo (1 Participant); Youth League of National Democratic Congress, Ghana (1 Participant); FRELIMO Youth League, Mozambique (2 Participants). Obs.: In countries from which two participants are to participate, we kindly ask you to take into account gender balance in the choice of the second participant. 4. VENUE AND DATES Conference Centre Futungo II; Luanda, Republic of Angola 27 th to 29 th of Novembre, Draft 12 de Outubro de

3 5. PROGRAMME 26th of NOVEMBRE 2006 (SUNDAY) Arrival of foreign delegations; Reception at International Airport 4 de fevereiro ; Transfer to and accomodation at Futungo II; Registration. 27 th of NOVEMBRE 2006 (MONDAY) 8H30 9H00 Arival of participants at the conference hall of Futungo II; 9H00 09H30 Opening Session; Welcome by Dr. Sabine Fandrych, Resident Director of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Angola Office; Opening addres by Cde André Pitra Neto, Vice-President of MPLA. 09H30 11H15 Plenary Session: Presentations by the delegations on Youth and Politics o What are the main problems that affect the Youth in each country? o What are the key elements of policies regarding Youth? o What are the participation channels and possibilities to influence politics for Youth, in the party as well as in society in general? 11H15 11H30 Coffee Break 11H30 13H00 Discussion on Youth and Politics Moderator: Representative of JPT, Brasil 13H00 14H30 Lunch 14H30 15H45 Plenary Session: Presentations by delegations on The role and experience of Youth in electoral processes o Methods of mobilization of the youth for the electoral process o Mechanisms for the representation of Youth in the Party o Participation of Youth in the drafting of Electoral and Government Programmes Draft 12 de Outubro de

4 o o Role of Youth in Election monitoring The importance of the aplication of Codes of Conduct for elections Moderator: Representative of JFRELIMO 15H45 16H00 Break 16H00 17H00 Plenary Session: General Discussion on the experience of Youth in electoral processes 17H00 17H30 Plenary Session: Presentation: The Youth and HIV/AIDS: Perspectives for the Combat in Angola, Hon, Teresa Cohen, MP 17H30 18H00 General Discussion on the Strategies to combat HIV/AIDS 18H00 End of Programme 19H30- Official Dinner invitation by Cde Paulo Pombolo, Member of the Political Bureau of MPLA and First National Secretary of JMPLA 28 th of NOVEMBRE 2006 (Tuesday) Visit to some Development Projects in the City of Luanda 9H00 10H00 visit to the Project Talatona; 10H00 11H30 Visit to the project Nova Vida; 12H30 Lunch at the Peninsula Mussulo Cultural Programme 15H00 Return to Luanda 17H00 Speech and debate in partnership with National Youth Council: The importance of participation of Youth in the political Process; N.N. Young Socialists Development and social justice in the era of globalization; N.N. JPT Draft 12 de Outubro de

5 29th NOVEMBRE 2006 (WEDNESDAY) Departure of delegations 7. LOGISTICS Conference Languages: The Conference languages will be portuguese and english. The conference organization will provide for simultaenous interpretation between these languages only, during the event. Travel: Participants from outside Angola will be provided with an air ticket (economy class). In countries with a FES presence, the booking of the air ticket will be arranged by our local office. In countries without FES presence (e.g. DRC), FES Angola will provide PTAs. Participants are expected to arrive in Angola on the 26th of Novembre, 2006 and depart on the 29 th of Novembre Participants will be acommodated at Futungo II. Meals/Allowances: FES will provide for meals during the entire stay of delegates. There will be no additional allowance. Local Transportion: Participants will be received at the airport and transport will be provided to the hotel/conference venue, and to other official venues mentioned in the Programme. Draft 12 de Outubro de

6 Contacts: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Angola Fundação Friedrich Ebert Dra. Sabine Fandrych Sr. Adão Augusto Alameda do Príncipe Real Luanda, Angola Tel: Fax: ou JMPLA Sr. Yaba Alberto.. Luanda, 12 th of October, 2006, THE NATIONAL SECRETARIATE OF JMPLA FRIEDRICH EBERT FOUNDATION, ANGOLA OFFICE Draft 12 de Outubro de