The European Union (EU) has said it is building partnerships among young Africans and their European counterparts because young people will remain critical in addressing current global challenges, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and making the world a better place.
At the National Youth Conference organised by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports in Abuja, the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said youths are not only the future but also constitute the largest generation of young people in history.
Urpilainen said she had mandated EU Delegations across Africa to establish a Youth Sounding Board to ensure youths are mainstreamed into their decision-making processes to reflect diversity and inclusivity.
The EU Youth Sounding Board in Nigeria was launched in Abuja in September. The Board, she noted, helps Nigerian youths to share their voices and participate in shaping EU policies and programmes.
According to her, Nigerian youths play a central role in ensuring peace, resolving conflicts and shaping policies in education, health, climate change, security and job creation for the overall development of the country.