The Africa-China Youth Forum on Population and Development by the UNFPA-Ghana, AFRIYAN and the Ghana Government with the Ministry of Planning, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Population Council occurred at the Labadi Beach Hotel to encourage knowledge sharing and promote networking between Africans and Chinese Youth who are the next generation of leaders from 23rd to 26th June 2019, in Accra.
The Youth4Youth forum
was convened on the margins of the China-Africa Conference on Population and Development (CACPD) attracted participants of young leaders who led discussions on how to improve outcomes of young people in Africa and China. As part of the forum, video submissions were received from young people from across Africa and China which was presented during the forum as the state of the Youth Address.
The first youth conference was held in Kenya, Nairobi in 2017 while the second was at China in 2018, under the theme “Population Data Management and Universal Access to Reproductive Health as Key Drivers of Sustainable Development”. Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Minister of Environment, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said ‘to make the right impact when it comes to development, the use of data is very essential and especially in low and middle-income countries where there are several competing demands on limited resources’.
As UNFPA turns 50 and also celebrates 25 years of the ICPD, the forum was coordinated by young people to lead the dialogues within the sessions to build networks and inter-relations that would result in chances of development and growth. Youth led avenues were created to find solutions for young people facing gender based violence and also building capacity on promoting sexual, reproductive health and rights. Improving
and innovating platforms for Africa and Chinese youth to showcase their aspiration, work and professions and youth involvement on decision making. Strengthening networks with other organizations like the African Youth and Adolescents’ Network on Population and Development to foster global policies, affirm action plans to ensure the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality). The Forum saw vibrant and active youth partaking in the exhibition and asking questions about the stands available at their exposure.
