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‘Give
youth a chance’ call to Regional Conference
18.10.2003
Kun Abyoto, Malaysia |
"Give youth a chance"
was the appeal to UNI-Africa’s Regional Conference in Johannesburg
from Kun Abyoto, the President of UNI-Asia and Pacific Youth.
Kun was a guest speaker at the
Regional Conference and had attended the five-day UNI-Africa Youth
Conference.
He urged the chance - for youth to develop their own strategies at
all levels to protect their rights.
And he told unions "recruiting young people into trade unions
is necessary if unions are to remain relevant". |
UNI-Africa Youth called for youth
structures to be set up in all African unions and they highlighted the
need for campaigns on child labour and the integration of the issue of
HIV/AIDS into union policies.
"We must make the abolition of child labour a priority and develop a
policy for Africa," said Solomon Adebosin, a newly elected Nive
President of UNI-Africa Youth..
There are more child labourers in sub-Saharan Africa than anywhere else in
the world.
Newly elected President of UNI-Africa Youth Jouini Hend, from Tunisian
finance affiliate FGBEF, told delegates "we will make our way - what
is left is for you to give us your support and understanding".
"We are lagging behind other continents, " said Jouini.
A role play drama showed a discussion between youth leaders and a general
secretary - underlining the need for new ways of thinking in union
hierarchies to benefit from the active membership of young people.
"We have to listen when the Youth are throwing questions at us,"
said Gabou Gueye, UNI-Africa Vice President who is chairing the Regional
Conference.
The second Vice President of UNI-Africa Youth is Christine Kavata.
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