The African Leadership Academy’s International Relations Council has decided to host a Model African Union conference this year for its students, in order to encourage them to examine, and potentially solve some of the problems that their continent is currently facing.

As a supporter of youth development programmes, Tunde Folawiyo understands how important these events are. They provide bright, talented teenagers with the opportunity to explore and discuss diplomacy and international relations, by enabling them to play the part of a leader or diplomat. They can fine-tune their debating skills, whilst at the same time establishing professional connections and friendships with like-minded individuals.

This month, the ALA will be asking 118 of its students to simulate the African Union. The event will take place between the 9th and the 13th of April, and will involve a great deal of negotiating and brainstorming, with the goal of finding solutions to the continent’s most complex problems. Those who attend will be expected to consider important questions regarding economic and social matters, the use of military intervention in critical situations, democracy and governance. In particular, participants are expected to talk about issues which are relevant to African counties; things such as foreign aid, debt, war and human rights violations.

The actual African Union, upon which the Model African Union is based, is made up of 54 states, and was established 13 years ago, in a bid to catalyse the integration of African countries, and enable the continent as a whole to address its political, economic and social issues, and therefore play a greater role in the global economy. It also aims to improve the living standards of everyone in Africa, and to promote the advancement of the continent, by funding research in science and technology.

Those who, like Tunde Folawiyo, are interested in youth development, might remember that last year’s Model African Union conference was hosted last year by the USIU (United States International University) and the YALDA (Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa).

It was a great success, and it is hoped that this year’s event will be equally fruitful. The conference took place in the university last July, with the support of Oxfam, and the African Union. Over 200 young people attended, as well as a whole host of Pan-African experts and African Union diplomats, including Dr. William Butler, and Dr. Raymonde Aggossou, with the latter providing the keynote speech for the event.