The biennial event is managed and coordinated by the National Youth Council (NYC) under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The landmark event is set to bring over 2000 young people together from all over the country and other parts of the world to interact, share experiences and dilate on major issues that affect their lives and wellbeing.
The event is also a platform for stock taking and critically assessing policies, programmes and activities that were meant to be implemented with a view to empowering young people for national development.
To steer this groundbreaking initiative, the NYC is proud to introduce the National Organising Committee (NOC), a dynamic team of passionate individuals dedicated to making the NAYCONF an unforgettable experience.
The NOC will be responsible for curating a diverse line up of speakers, coordinating vibrant cultural showcases, and ensuring that every aspect of the event reflects the energy and vision of our youth.
The organisation of this very important event is stipulated in the National Youth Policy 2018-2029 and the National Youth Council Act of the year 2000.
The 14th edition of the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF 2024) will be hosted by the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC).
The event is scheduled to take place from 17th – 24th December 2024 in Kanifing under the Theme: Attaining the Recovery Focus – National Development Plan 2023 – 2027 for and with young people.
Chairman of the National Organisation Committee (NOC), Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Bakary Y. Badjie, assured the youth of maximum support of Government towards this landmark and historic event.
‘‘The main activities of this mega youth convergence include Intergenerational Dialogue, Youth Conferences, Sports, Cultural activities, Academic competitions, Awards, Exhibition, Creative Arts among others.
‘‘Together, let's empower the next generation and celebrate the potential of our youth,’’ Minister Badjie said.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) was originally called The National Youth Week and only consisted of Sporting and Cultural programmes.
Such Youth Week celebrations were first held in Banjul in 1974, then in Basse, Upper River Region in 1975.
With the adoption of the National Youth Policy, the event became a biennial one and concentrated not only on sporting and Cultural Programmes but Youth Conference as well.
The Conference affords youths, through their accredited representations, the opportunity to discuss matters of common interest vis-à-vis their role in National Development.
The Youth forum serves as an authoritative source of information on the problems of Youth as seen by the Youths themselves.
The Youth Festival on other hand, engenders interaction amongst Youths in a true spirit of oneness and love through the various sporting and cultural Programmes as well as participation in a community Service Project.
Youth Participants from the zone two countries are also invited to take part in the Festival.
The Youth Conference and Festival was first held in Bakau, Kanifing Municipality in 1990 followed by Janjanbureh, Central River Region in 1992 and Mansakonko, Lower River Region in 1994.
The weeklong event will feature a variety of sporting, cultural and intellectual programmes.
The opening will be marked by a spectacular parade of all youth delegates from different parts of the country, punctuated by cultural displays depicting the cultural forms that are most unique to each Division.
The second day will mark the official opening of the Youth Conference on the theme" Youth and the challenges of the New Millennium.
An Art and Crafts exhibition portraying the talent of Gambian Youth in the Visual and plastic Arts across the country will be opened on the same day.
The rest of the days, will satisfy the sporting, theatrical and musical thirst of the youths through keen competitions.
The last day marking the closing ceremony of the Conference and Festival will witness the award of prizes and certificates.
