The National Youth Council (NYC), in collaboration with the National Youth Parliament and other youth activists in the country, are warming up for the celebration of the African Youth Day on Thursday, November 1.

The theme for this year's event is: "Youth-adult partnership for sustainable development".
Confirming this at a press conference, on Friday at the NYC offices in Bakau, Ousman Conteh, Clerk of Banjul Youth Parliament, said "the day was adopted during the 7th AU Summit held in Banjul and is meant to be commemorated every year across the African continent, by various governments, youth organisations and stakeholders in youth development". Mr Conteh said the celebration will focus on the signing and ratification of the African Youth Charter, adopted by the 7th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and governments of AU in Banjul, July 2, 2006.

According to him, the day will be characterised by dialogue between the National Youth Parliament and the National Assembly members, symposia, inter-generational dialogue, distribution of copies of the African Youth Charter, discussions  on radio and television.

For his part, Lamin F Bojang, Speaker of the National Youth Parliament, said statistics have shown that 60 per cent of the African population are young people, who are confronted with the challenges of unemployment, rebellion, lack of adequate social amenities, and illegal migration, among others. He told journalists that the day was set aside for young people to reflect on the realities surrounding them, saying that it will contribute positively in changing "adults' views or perception of young people".

Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Secretary of the NYC, thanked the Department of State for Youth and Sports, for the support rendered to the Council. He confirmed that the African Youth Charter has been "highly -recognised" by The Gambia government and expressed hope that it will soon be ratified.

Mr Ceesay called on youth organisations, and other partners to contribute towards the success of the celebration of African Youth Day.
Other youth leaders spoke at the ceremony,  chaired by Mustapha Kebbeh, former Chairperson of NYC.