A Pan African Youth Summit commenced today (May 25) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by celebrating Africa Day.
The summit will be held for three days under the theme ‘Building on Pan-African ties and Promoting indigenous knowledge in Africa”. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, delivered a keynote speech recalling the liberation struggles in Africa and calling on the youth to join hands in fighting contemporary challenges.
Mr. Demeke said the African youth should change challenges into opportunities by equipping themselves with distilled information and knowledge.
Maintaining African values and history, the massive youth population of the continent is considered a blessing for the continental aspirations, he underlined.
He also advised the youth to remain optimistic and learn from others to contribute to their society, country, continent, and the world.
The Minister of Women and Social Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ergogie Tesfaye (Ph.D.), also delivered a speech noting the role of the victory of Adwa in inspiring Pan-African movements and anti-colonialism struggles.
Containing vast natural resources with a high number of young people, Africa has immense potential for development, she noted.
Although poverty still challenges Africa, the youth should deal with it with a problem-solving mentality and undivided attention to education, Dr. Eregogie said.
She said the government of Ethiopia set up a homegrown economic reform plan and identified priority sectors to engage the youth in productive activities.
She expressed hope that the output of the summit would contribute to the policymakers and all other stakeholders. Africa annually commemorates the founding of the OAU (now AU) on May 25, 1963.