6th East African Community University Debate Kick Starts in Tanzania
The 6thEast African Community University Students debate on regional integration aimed at choosing a youth ambassador and Deputy Youth Ambassador have commenced today.
Each EAC state is to get a youth ambassador and a deputy youth ambassador. However, South Sudan was not represented.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge said the debate is one of the strategies to improve on youth participation in the regional integration process.“Our Youth Ambassadors are a tested group of young leaders. The selection process is highly competitive and subsequent capacity building programme ensures that the youth leaders are well nurtured and groomed for furthering personal and regional development of EAC,” said Mr Njoroge.
He further cautioned the young people to be wary of human trafficking that is on the rise and has posed a challenge to the integration.
“The University of Dar es Salaam firmly believes that the youth are a key stakeholder in the entire EAC integration process and we need to engage them in matters of East African integration at each step of the way,” Prof. Cuthbert Kimambo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research at the university said.
The debate was held under the theme ” Border management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in the East African Community – Role and Implications of the youth.”
It was graced with senior dignitaries including Mr. Esayas Abebe, the Head of Programme, GIZ Support to the African Union Border Programme and the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Tanzania and EAC, Mr. Jörg Herrera.