The African Regional Youth Summit - December 2014

The African Regional Youth Summit has opened in Lira, Northern Uganda with a call for youth in Africa to embrace peace as they struggle with contemporary legacies of slavery, colonialism; and the civil wars.

Youths from Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda have gathered in Lira district, northern Uganda to dialogue on peace, human rights and democracy, as well as empower youth to become agents of positive change in Africa.

African Regional Youth Summit is part of the African Network of Sites of Conscience, and is organized by the African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET) together with International Coalition of SITES of CONSCIENCE, with support from the National Endowment Democracy (NED).

The summit seeks to foster dialogue on the role of young people in Africa, as ordinary citizens in their struggle with contemporary legacies of slavery, colonialism and the Cold War. The youth participants are representing Constitutional Hill in South Africa; Gore Island in Senegal; Youths from Rwanda; GAPS-Center for Governance, Peace and Security in Uganda; Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health in Kenya; and African Youth Initiative Network (AYINET) brings youth from post conflict northern Uganda and Foundation for Ruwenzori Formerly abducted youth.

The week long Ugandan summit from 7th to 11th December 2014 is to help African youth develop unique means to grapple with recent conflicts, with the goal of promoting lasting democracy, peace, and reconciliation in the Africa.