(Issued Monday 21 January 2020)
Youth and Sports mini Hadrammeh Sidibeh said National Youth Conference and Festival (NaYCONF) is a platform that creates the hearing of youth voice through their active participation in meaningful engagements, dialogues and positive socialization.
He
said the biennial gathering enable young people to discuss issues affecting
them and map out common road map and actionable programmes and proposals to
government, development partners and youth themselves for implementation.
Presiding
over the launch of the local organising committee of this year’s event, on
Thursday, Minister Drammeh said government is to support youth initiatives,
including NaYCONF.
“The
government is aware of the importance of NaYCONF and what it takes to stage a
successful one. We anticipate a great youth conference and festival in April 2020,”
he said.
During
the gathering, youth will discuss the 10 themes of Gambia Programme of Action
on Youth. It will mobilize over 2000 young people within and outside the
Gambia.
The
total estimated budget for the 13th edition is D7 million.
“We
would like to thank the government for
supporting youth activities. We also thank the UN systems and other partners
for their support.”
Omar
Touray, Deputy Mayor of Banjul said NaYCONF is an important event that has
helped to change and develope many young people.
“As
the host of this year’s event, we’re ready and we’ll make it great.”
Speaking
on behalf of the UN systems in The Gambia, Abdou Touray from UNDP said the biennial event creates a platform for
engagement, assuring that UN systems will support the youth all the way.
Essaha
Sowe, youth chairperson of Banjul
expressed delight for hosting NaYCONF2020.
He
said they will work very hard to ensure a great event is stage for the young
people of the country.
During
the launch, a hosting agreement of NaYCONF2020 was signed the chairperson of
the national organising committee Dembo Kambi and Deputy Mayor of Banjul Omar
Touray.
The
event was attended by senior officials of MOYS, heads, staff of satellite
institutions, UN Systems, Development Partners, NGOs, National Youth
Organisations, Board, Management and Staff of National Youth Council, and
media.
Source-NYC
