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CLOSING CEREMONY MODEL AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSING CEREMONY OF AU MODEL SUMMIT

20 August 2014

H.E Dr SalifSall, Ambassador of AU South African Regional Office,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Heads of tertiary education institutions,

Delegates,

We have reached the end of this Model Summit after two days of intense deliberations. I have obtained very positive feedback on the level of the debates and the substantial contribution made by delegates in terms of ideas and recommendations.

Once again let us give a big applause to all the participants and their mentors for their active participation and making this event successful.

Let me share with you that this event is also a new experience for my ministry too. As you know the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology is a new ministry – only 4 years old – and many of the events that we have organized are first time events. I am proud that the concerted efforts of the universities and higher education institutions, my ministry and the AU SARO have made this first Model African Union Summit a resounding success.

Dear delegates, this Model Summit has given all of you the opportunity to speak in a plenary session, to undertake research on issues relating to Africa, to learn to present your ideas and recommendations in a structured manner and work in a team. 

I have no doubt that at the end of today’s session, you have acquired a deeper understanding of the work and role of the African Union as the voice of Africa, as the catalyst of the economic transformation on the continent and a forum to promote dialogue, conflict resolution and peace and stability.

As stated in our speeches at the Opening ceremony, Africa is said to be the next growth pole. It is on the rise.  From 2001-10, six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies were in sub-Saharan Africa.

It has now to make stronger efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to improve conditions for African people. It has to address the challenges of climate change, food security and combating diseases.

African Economic Outlook mentions that “with over 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24–a figure that will double by 2045–Africa’s fast-growing population is the youngest in the world.” While the youth population is increasing, it is also important for them to have access to higher education. The pool of resources and capacity in Africa should be harnessed and directed towards the productive sectors of the economy.

The Guardian published an article recently pointing out that “ Africa has an unprecedented opportunity to set a course for sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and a breakthrough in poverty reduction. But this cannot be achieved without the full participation of young people. Young Africans have extraordinary levels of energy and creativity, as well as hopes, ambitions and dreams.

It is worth recalling that the destiny of Mauritius as an African state has always been linked with the great continent. We achieved  our own decolonization in the great wind of change which blew over Africa in the 1960s.Our founding Fathers have ensured that our solidarity with all African states  remains strong and  our first Prime Minister,Sir SeewoosagarRamgolam was the President of Organisation of African Unity  in 1976.……We have to continue to work on the same path and give the opportunity to our young people build and realize their vision of a sustainable, prosperous and fair continent for the benefit of all.”

Mauritius is promoting access to higher education and research and is eager to establish collaboration with African states to provide opportunities for higher education and capacity building. We therefore hope that this Model Summit will help to disseminate a positive image of Mauritius as a destination for quality higher learning and bring more students from the African continent to our institutions.

To conclude, I wish to thank Dr Sall and would like to suggest to him that the best delegates be given an opportunity to participate in similar model summits in other countries. The best delegates should be facilitated to develop a network with their counterparts in other countries.

I wish once again to thank all the organisers, the Director General and staff of Mahatma Gandhi Institute, the Vice Chancellor and Directors of all the participating institutions and the group of volunteers who have ensured security and press.

You have all been remarkable and made us proud.

I now declare the Summit closed. Thank you.

OPENING CEREMONY MODEL AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

 

 

 

 

 

SPEECH OPENING CEREMONY MODEL AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

19 AUGUST 2014

His Excellency Dr Saiff Sall, Ambassador, from the African Union South African Regional Office,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

The Director General, Mahatma Gandhi Institute,

Heads of tertiary education institutions,

Dear students - heads and members of delegations,

Today you are all here to participate in the African Union Model Summit – you are pioneers as this is the first time that tertiary education institutions in Mauritius are participating in such an event.

I understand that similar Model Summits have been organized in Malawi in 2013, and in Namibia one month ago. When His Excellency Dr Sall made the proposal to us to organize a Summit in Mauritius, we did not think twice and said yes, why not.  

I am pleased that we got a very enthusiastic response from our universities and have been able to constitute the 54 delegations within a short time. All the 350 students present today and their mentors deserve our congratulations and a big applause.

This is an activity which will allow students to get a clearer picture of the functioning of the African Union, its role in promoting the development of Africa and cooperation among its member states. It will enable students to work in teams, build confidence and get the chance to know their own potential as possible future leaders.

But most importantly, it encourages students to conduct research on the issues related to Africa and make recommendations through this summit.

As you probably know, the African Union has developed the African Youth Charter that aims to strengthen, reinforce and consolidate efforts to empower young people through meaningful youth participation and equal partnership in driving Africa's development agenda.  Young people should be given the opportunity to voice their opinions about the challenges facing Africa. The future belongs to you and you have to think about how to make it better.

The African Union highlights that about 65% of the total population of Africa are below the age of 35 years, and over 35% are between the ages of 15 and 35 years - making Africa the most youthful continent. By 2020, it is projected that out of 4 people, 3 will be on average 20 years old.   Thus, it is about your own future that you will be discussing during this Summit. 

All the reports on Africa show that there are optimistic trends, with wide scope for growth. The World Bank has pointed out that the economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa is positive, with growth rising to 5.3% in 2012, and 5.6% in 2013 and growth is forecasted to rise to 6% this year.

Africa is said to be the continent of the future. By 2040, it will have the biggest labour force equal to the combined labour force of both China and India. It has 30 percent of the World’s mineral reserves. Some of the long term development challenges of Africa are job creation, increasing competitiveness, infrastructural development, climate change, women’s empowerment, reducing poverty, improving health and strengthening governance. It needs to build the professional capacity and skills and invest in research, science and technology to address all these challenges.

Being part of Africa, Mauritius has been advocating for a policy of regional integration through increased trade, exchanges and joint projects.  Through my Ministry, we are working towards increasing access to higher education to African students. We are offering 50 scholarships for undergraduate studies every year to African students. 17 students are already here under this scheme and this year there will be another group of 17 scholarships beneficiaries coming to Mauritius.  The setting up of an African School of Leadership is in process.

We are working together with South Africa in partnership with seven other African countries on the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, the largest telescope to be built in the world.  We are planning to set up new centres of technology – such as nanotechnology and space science - which would benefit and contribute to research and innovation in Africa.

The IIT Research Academy which we have recently launched will provide opportunities to African students to pursue high standard engineering and science courses at Masters and PhD level in Mauritius. Recently at the Africa USA Summit, our Prime Minister called for increasing trade with Africa.

As delegates of this Conference, you will be called to reflect upon the challenges facing Africa and come up with innovative solutions.  

I wish you all good luck. Be bold and frank in the deliberations. You should make of this summit the best in the southern African region.

I wish to thank Dr Saiff Sall for his support. I wish also to thank all the volunteers, the staff of my ministry, the tertiary education institutions and in particular Mrs M. Bhujoharry, who has guided us throughout the organization of this event. Thank you.

Dr R. Jeetah                         Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology      19 August, 2014