Launch / Coup d’envoi / Auftakt

What motivates young people in Germany and African countries? How can we solve global challenges of our ‘One World’, together? How important are collaborative partnerships for youth exchanges? And how can modern media support international engagement?

These are some of the questions being addressed by the African-German Youth Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to promote youth exchanges between Germany and African countries, while relying on existing voluntary service and exchange programmes. Furthermore, the initiative intends to strengthen African and German civil society.

The AGYI will be officially launched on 30 June 2016. Under the motto “Shaping tomorrow’s world today – global responsibility, youth participation”, Federal Minister Dr. Gerd Müller, and the Minister President of North Rhine Westphalia, Ms. Hannelore Kraft, alongside senior officials of the African Union and German and African civil society, will discuss the implementation of “Agenda 2030 for sustainable development”, adopted last September by the United Nations. The day will offer a diverse programme which ends at 22:00.

On 1 July 2016, you are invited to take part in dialogue exchanges with various representatives from government structures, and members of German and African civil society .The various possibilities and operating principles of the AGYI will be presented, in particular the consulting and funding opportunities as well as the new African partnership structure. Youth groups will share their experiences and initiatives of African-German youth exchanges, and will give insight into their activities. We encourage and invite you to participate in the specialist forums, where you can learn about and discuss key issues such as: How can we as partners contribute to a comprehensive image of Germany and Africa; what does partnership in the context of youth exchanges mean; what role does modern media play in the digital age; or how can music have an impact in solving global challenges?

The launch of AGYI will take place in Bonn together with the ‘ZukunftsTour’ – themed ‘ONE WORLD – Our Responsibility’. The ’ZukunftsTour’ is a roadshow across all German states since 2015, promoting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It spreads the message of the Charter of the Future, a process initiated by Federal Minister Dr. Gerd Müller in 2014. The ‘ZukunftsTour’ is organised by Engagement Global on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and in cooperation with the respective German states.

Program

Thursday, 30. June 2016
09.00-14.30	Zukunftswerkstatt Zukunftstour Bonn
12.00-13.30	Global Responsibility-Young participation
	Speech Hannelore Kraft, Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia
	Speech Dr. Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
	Keynote S.E. Dr. Martial De – Paul Ikounga , Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology at the African Union
	Dialogue changes the world: Young people in discussion
	Symbolic start of the African-German Youth Initiative (AGYI)
13.30-14.30	Lunch break
14.30-16.00	Start of the scientific part of the AGYI opening event: Move it ! – Youth Exchange as an engine for global partnerships
	Panel discussion “Youth Exchange as an engine for global partnerships” – Panel with state guests from pilot countries and representatives of youth
16.00-18.30	Professional forums “Potential of youth exchanges for global partnerships and commitment” 4 parallel specialist forums, in addition to theme islands
18.30	Start of the evening program
22.00	End
Friday, 1 July 2016
08.30	Admission and Registration
09.15-09.45	Official welcome by Birgit Pickel (BMZ, Head of Civic Engagement, weltwärts, Engagement Global) and Dr Beatrice Njenga (AU Commission)
09.45-12.00	Professional forums “Demands and Reality: What can equal youth exchange contribute to sustainable development and partnership?” 6 parallel forums, in addition to theme islands
12.00-13.30	Lunch break
13.30-15.45	Professional forums “Good Practices – How Youth Exchange is lived” 6 parallel specialist forums, in addition to theme islands
15.45-16.40	Roundtable with civil AGYI stakeholders on the topic “Connecting horizons: The future of the African-German Youth Initiative”
16.40-17.00	Conclusion by Birgit Pickel (BMZ) and Dr Beatrice Njenga (AU Commission)