African Youth Ambassadors for Peace Program 2021

The AUC African Youth Ambassadors for Peace (AYAP) Program 2021 is now accepting applications. The Peace and Security Department (now the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, PAPS) launched the Youth for Peace (Africa) Program (Y4P) in September 2018 as part of the African Union’s (AU) efforts to advance the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. The program’s primary goal is to facilitate the meaningful participation of African youth in all aspects of peace and security. The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) has asked the AU Commission to select five regional African Youth Ambassadors for Peace (AYAP) to work alongside the AU Youth Envoy in championing the promotion of peace and security on the continent during its 807th meeting, in order to increase youth participation in the continent’s peace and security agenda.

The AYAPs will promote the promotion and advocacy of young participation in peace and security problems at the regional and continental levels, working under the direct supervision of the AUC’s PAPS leadership. The AYAPs will specifically encourage the implementation of the five goals of the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (CFYPS), which are directed by Article 17 of the African Union Youth Charter (2006) and UNSCR 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018), and 2535. (2020).

Background of African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental organisation made up of the 55 countries that make up the African continent. In 2002, it was formally established as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The OAU’s principal goals were to rid the continent of the last traces of colonialism and apartheid, to promote African unity and solidarity, to coordinate and strengthen development cooperation, to protect member states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to encourage international collaboration.

The African Youth Ambassadors For Peace Program’s Goals and Benefits

1. Advocate for the advancement of young people’s rights in his or her region;
2. In their region, advocate for and create awareness of the AU CFYPS and its 10-Year Implementation Plan;
3. Encourage and assist AU Member States in the region with the coordination of the Y4P programme in order to improve the formulation and implementation of National Action Plans in their region;
4. Organize regional youth events that address the five (5) priority categories;
5. Represent the AU PAPS at meetings, trainings, and workshops as needed.

Qualification requirements

1. Be between the ages of 15 and 35, which corresponds to the AU Youth age range;
2. Have a bachelor’s degree in international relations, peace and conflict resolution, political science, law, or a similar field; a master’s degree would be preferable; or have at least 2 years of peace and security experience, including demonstrated capacity to advocate for youth, peace and security concerns, and resource mobilisation;
3. Have prior experience promoting and assisting peace processes, including initiating and organising multi-stakeholder discussions and mediation efforts;
4. Have a solid reputation in the community/area where he/she works;
5. Strong communication and advocacy abilities are required; the AU’s working languages are English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese. It is necessary to be fluent in any AU working language; knowledge of another AU language would be advantageous.

How to Apply

If you’re interested and qualified, please fill out the form below.

To apply, go to docs.google.com and type in African Union.

Visit the AYAP website for additional information.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2021.

Source: Nyscinfo