ECOWAS YOUTH MEET IN ABIDJAN OVER FREE MOVEMENT POLICY

By Ayodele Samuel
http://ayodelenews.blogspot.com/
 
Youth from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) will on 15th February gather in Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivory for a capacity building workshop on youth advocacy and engagement on the implementation of free movement of persons and goods policy within the region.

Themed “The contribution of youth organizations to raise awareness and promoting the free movement of persons in space,” the conference has its participants drawn from 15 ECOWAS states.

Other issues to be discuss at the meeting includes: the legal framework and obstacles to the free movement of people and the right of establishment within ECOWAS ; strategies and means of action for youth organizations to contribute to the effective implementation of ECOWAS texts and Youth organizations and the fight against the red road and border.

The meeting according to Stanislas Laurent YAO, President of the Non-Government Organisation -Solidarité Jeunesse IVORY COAST, is to raise awareness among citizens and governments on the importance of the integration through the free movement of persons in ECOWAS.

Stanislas stated that the conference is to set up as a campaign caravan intended to help develop a framework for youth to make a status report on their involvement and the role youth can play in promoting the free movement of persons and the fight against the red road and border security.

Through this campaign caravan, it is hoped that the youth will be able to get the attention of politicians, decision makers and media about the need for the implementation of ECOWAS free movement policy.

“The overall objective of the gathering is to ensure the contribution of youth organizations across ECOWAS states in promoting the free movement of persons within the region,” he said.

Organized exchange of experiences between youth organizations in West Africa through a space of dialogue for the debate about innovative initiatives and increasing promotion of the texts governing the rights and obligations of citizens to free movement of persons within ECOWAS is a priority.

He said the central goal of the meeting is to create awareness on the issues of free movement of people and goods in the ECOWAS region and creating a change in our regions. At the end of the meeting, YAO said a network platform of youth organizations and young ECOWAS to raise awareness and promote the ideals of ECOWAS on the free movement of persons and property and the fight against road harassment and borders will be set up.