Regional IPU Conference of Young Parliamentarians of Africa

The Regional Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Africa will take place on 27 and 28 September 2017 at the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja. Jointly organized by the IPU and the Parliament of Nigeria, its theme is Empowering youth: Enhancing political participation for more inclusive and peaceful societies. 

Approximately 70 per cent of Africa’s population is under 30 years of age and young men and women literally hold the demographic balance of power on the continent. Young people are, however, vastly underrepresented in the continent’s parliaments. IPU research has revealed that less than 1.5 per cent of African parliamentarians are aged under 30. 

As today’s young people become tomorrow’s adult population, failure to address their growing disengagement can lead to further disillusionment and lack of confidence in politics. This poses a threat to the future of democracy and can, in some cases, contribute to an environment ripe for radicalization. Political participation is therefore a powerful antidote to addressing many of the drivers of violent extremism. 

The Regional Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Africa will galvanize action to enhance youth political participation. It will bring together young parliamentarians to explore the obstacles to greater youth participation in politics in the African context and coordinate solutions to address them. It will also examine the link between political participation and the prevention of violent extremism, and consolidate proposals for actions to help young MPs tackle this scourge. 

The Meeting is open to young men and women members of national parliaments in the Africa region, as well as IPU observers and selected youth organizations, networks and associations.

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