The African Youth Charter provides a strategic framework for youth empowerment and development activities at the continental, regional and national levels across Africa. It addresses key issues affecting youth, including employment, sustainable livelihoods, education, skills development, health, youth participation, national youth policy, peace and security, law enforcement, youth in the Diaspora and youth with disabilities.
The Charter provides an avenue for effective youth participation in the development process. It defines youths as people between the ages of 15-35 years. It was developed after research was conducted on the state of the African Youth, commissioned by the African Union Commission.
The first draft of the document was drawn up after a meeting and subsequent discussions in January 2006. The draft charter was sent to member states for consultation with youths and youth organizations. In May 2006, youths, experts and ministers met at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa to discuss the final draft, which was adopted in May 2006. It was endorsed by Heads of Government at their meeting in Banjul in July 2006.
The Charter took into consideration provisions and successes of previous declarations, Plan of Action and charters, expecially the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the NEPAD Strategic Framework for Youth, the World Programme of Action for Youth and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
