African Union, African Youth Ambassadors For Peace (AYAP) 2021

The African Union, African Youth Ambassadors For Peace (AYAP) is in line with the decision of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) via the communiqué of its 807th meeting held on 8th November 2018 on Youth, Peace and Security. The Council requested the AU Commission to appoint the AYAP to work with the AU Youth Envoy in championing the promotion of peace and security across the continent. It is within this context, that the PSD is launching the call for application to eligible African youth.

The African Union, African Youth Ambassadors For Peace (AYAP), working under the direct supervision of the leadership of the Peace and Security Department of the AUC shall champion the promotion and advocacy of youth participation in peace and security issues at the regional level and across Africa. Specifically, the AYAP will promote the actualization of the five priorities of the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security, which are guided by Article 17 of the AU Youth Charter (2006) and the United Nations Security Council Resolution Council (UNSCR) 2250 (2015) – (See Terms of Reference in session III for guidance). 

Mission of the AYAPs
The AYAPs shall:
• advocate for the promotion of rights for young people in his/her region;
• advocate and raise awareness on the AU CFYPS and its 10-Year Implementation Plan in their region;
• encourage and support AU Member States in the region with the coordination of the Y4P program to enhance the development of National Action Plans and its implementation in their region;
• implement regional youth activities covering the five (5) priority areas;
• on request, represent the AU PAPS in meetings, trainings and workshops.

• Table of Content
• About African Union
• AYAP
• Aim and Benefits of AYAP
• Requirements for AYAP Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The main objectives of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity amongst African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation... read more... continue reading

AYAP

Aim and Benefits of AYAP

The specific tasks of the African Union, African Youth Ambassadors For Peace (AYAP) anchored on Article 17 of the Africa Youth Charter and the UNSCR 2250 as follows:

• Participation: advocate and promote active and meaningful participation of youths at all levels of decision-making, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of peace and security decisions/agreements; support cross-sectoral cooperation as a holistic approach to youth issues and for elimination of structural barriers to youth participation; and support the development and implementation of national action plans to encourage young people’s meaningful participation in peace and security through existing national and regional structures.  
• Prevention: promote and strengthen youth capacity on prevention via peace education, support to the establishment and implementation of peace architectures; facilitate entry points for competent youth to undertake violence prevention activities including youth-led or support to dialogue and mediation processes; Reinforce the potential of youth by canvassing support for the establishment of investments and funds that enable inclusion of youth into different projects to ensure access to education, vocational training as well as employment opportunities, with a view to reducing youth unemployment and their attendant vulnerabilities to exploitation, manipulation, radicalization and recruitment by extremist, criminal and armed groups.
• Protection: advocate and promote compliance to international humanitarian and human rights law to guarantee the protection of young people during armed conflicts and facilitate safe movement and resettlement of displaced persons, to mitigate risk of forced recruitment as well as sexual and gender based violence.
• Partnerships and Coordination: facilitate the effective coordination and communication between youth and relevant stakeholders on planning and evaluation of interventions to promote peace and security; promote increased, coordinated and sustained political, financial and technical support to reinforce youth-led initiatives on peace and security.
• Disengagement and Rehabilitation: promote programmes aimed at effective repatriation, resettlement, disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and rehabilitation of youth disengaged from armed or extremist groups. Promote training for young people to support reconstruction and stabilization activities of areas affected by war, including ensuring that the specific needs of young women and men are met; promote young people’s capacities to act as relief and recovery agents in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Requirements for AYAP Qualification

An African Youth with demonstrated commitment and significant contribution to the promotion of sustainable peace and security. Applications from eligible youth including young women, displaced persons and persons with disabilities who meet the following criteria are particularly encouraged: 

• Be between the ages of 15 to 35 in tandem with the AU Youth age;
• Possess university degree in international relations, peace and conflict, political science, law and related areas; a master’s degree would be an added advantage; or
• Have at least 2 years experience in peace and security with demonstrated ability for advocacy on youth, peace and security issues as well as resource mobilization;
• Have experience in promoting and supporting peace processes especially in initiating and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and mediation efforts;
• Have a strong track record with the local community/area where he/she works;
• Possess strong communication and advocacy skills;
• English, French, Arabic, Portuguese are the working languages of the AU. Fluency in any AU working language is required; knowledge of another AU language would be an asset.  

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit African Union website.