Empowerment of youth lauded

Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasuku-were has hailed President Mugabe for his overwhelming commitment to youth empowerment and development.
Minister Kasukuwere said this at the Outstanding Young Persons of Zimbabwe Awards Ceremony of Junior Chamber International.

"President Mugabe over the past three months has created more time for young people than ever before in trying to make sure that the young Zimbabweans continue to excel in their respective fields and do the country proud."

The President, on June 27 to July 1 took with him several youth leaders to the African Union Summit meeting held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
"In that meeting President Mugabe emphasised the need for African governments to link African resources to the youth of the continent to ensure national development," Minister Kasukuwere said.

The President also spent the whole day on July 16 with the youths during the official opening of the Junior Parliament.
"In his address to the thousands of young people who witnessed the official opening of the Junior Parliament President Mugabe insisted that education remains the cornerstone of youth development in Zimbabwe," he said.

Minister Kasukuwere said President Mugabe also emphasised the need to make skills education relevant to the needs of Zimbabwe, especially in the mining sector.
President Mugabe last week attended the United Nations High Level meetingon youths in New York and was accompanied by youth leaders under the umbrella of the Zimbabwe Youth Council.

"This has demonstrated that President Mugabe's commitment to youth development is unquestionable," he said.
Minister Kasukuwere, during the presentation of an award to young leaders, noted that President Mugabe's commitment was critical capital for youth development in Zimbabwe.

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Empower Youths - President Mugabe

President Mugabe has challenged United Nations member states to institute policies that will nurture and empower the youth so that they play an integral role in the socio-economic and political affairs of their nations.
Addressing the UN High-Level meeting on youth at the UN headquarters yesterday, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, said Zimbabwe has since independence in 1980 regarded youths as the vanguard of the country.

“While the high level meeting on youth is advocating for the mainstreaming of youths into contributing to issues pertaining central governance, it is of paramount importance the United Nations member states institute policies that will give proper orientation that will shape the youths to become responsible future leaders,” he said.

Cde Mugabe said Zimbabwe had since 1980-regarded education as priority in nurturing the youths and giving them preparatory skills that would empower them to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and political affairs of the country.

Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere

“Member states should adopt a catch-them- young concept such as the education for-free policies my Government has introduced among other policies for youth including health in the face of HIV and Aids,” he said.

President Mugabe also called on the region to form a union for youths to deal with HIV and Aids awareness programmes at regional level.

He said that through the indigenisation and empowerment Act of Parliament, Zimbabwean youth need room to become employers by establishing their own entities in mining, manufacturing and agriculture among others.
Child parliament is another policy introduced to youths whereby Cabinet ministers interacted with the young generation and shared notes on governance issues.

It is against this background that President Mugabe challenged the meeting to adopt and pluck a leaf from Zimbabwe’s experience in empowering the youths to become future leaders.
The UN High-level Meeting on Youth is part of the International Year of Youth held under the theme: “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding”.

The meeting seeks to address issues on strengthening international co-operation regarding youth and enhancing dialogue, mutual understanding and active youth participation as indispensable elements towards achieving social integration, full employment and the eradication of poverty.
It is also focusing on challenges to youth development and opportunities for poverty eradication, employment and sustainable development.

Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said President Mugabe was attending the meeting to show Government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
According to a draft resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly on the organisation of the high level meeting, member States should pay due attention to relevant development goals, including MDGs, relevant outcomes and programmes of action including the World Programme of Action for Youth and General Assembly resolution 62/126.

Member states, observers, and representatives of UN systems entities, civil society, youth organisations and the private sector would participate in the meeting for “interactive and substantive discussions”.
The General Assembly president must produce a draft text, in consultation with member states, taking into account input from youth-led organisations.