On 8 February, the Coordination Unit of the ICA-EU development partnership, #coops4dev, participated in the working group on youth, a panel and discussion with European Union delegations on the role of youth and the private sector in international development.
The panel, moderated by DG Devco’s Maria Rosa De Paolis, and with speakers Julius Foday, Project Manager in Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Sierra Leone, and Mr Julius Munthali, Project Management Officer, Delegation of the European Union to Malawi, highlighted the multiple challenges that different regions face regarding the role of youth.
The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), described how co-operatives can play a key part in the resolution of the challenges facing young people in developing countries. The ICA, as a Framework Partnership Agreement signatory, and representative of the co-operative movement, also presented youth as one of its strategic priorities. This coincides with the priorities set by the Multiannual Indicative Programme of the European Commission which emphasises the role of civil society networks in driving youth empowerment.
The role and inclusion of youth in development processes focused on the needs of local communities was recognised by all speakers and participants, who also shared some lessons learned, most of which involved a focus on capacity building, inclusion of youth from an early age in the civic space, education and training.
Photo: (c) Coopermondo
