ABIDJAN, Aug. 28 — The European Union (EU) will disburse some 24 million euros for the implementation of a plan aimed at strengthening youth participation in peace and security policies in Cote d’Ivoire, the EU ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire has said.
“This plan will provide an inclusive framework to ensure that the voice and aspirations of youth are fully considered in peace and security policies,” EU Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro told the opening of a three-day workshop on the national action plan, “Youth, Peace and Security,” on Wednesday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital.
The workshop, which includes presentations, group work, and situational exercises to identify challenges and define the next steps in the plan’s implementation, brought together institutional officials, technical and financial partners, as well as representatives of youth organizations.
According to the EU envoy, youth represent over 60 percent of Africa’s population, and their exclusion, along with the lack of opportunities for them in public policies, can weaken social cohesion.
Co-funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the project has a duration of 36 months and is implemented under a program supporting the Economic Community of West African States to strengthen its peace, security, and governance architecture. (Xinhua)
