Model African Union (Model-AU) summit is a simulation activity in which participants (Young people)
obtain skills such as diplomacy, teamwork, leadership, public speaking, and debating on issues at the
highest level of continental decision-making. This event is hosted by the African Union. Participants are
placed in committees, commissions and/or organs of the African Union, guided by experts with an
assigned country and will role-play the actions and roles of member State of the African Union.
Participants of the Model-AU were tasked with the responsibility of various AU committees, 1) Peace and Security Council, 2) ECOSOCC, 3) ACERWC. At the last day of the simulation activity, delegates assumed the role of the Heads of State and Government of the member states of the AU to adopt and pass by way of voting, the work done at the committee level. It\’s on this premise that i was assigned to the Peace and Security Council Committee with the mandate to come up with concrete resolutions on the advantages and challenges of Free Movement of People in Africa – Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area – AfCFTA. Several resolutions were reached at various committee level and passed at the last day of the summit, the Assembly of Heads of States and Government.
It was a learning process for me to aspire to be at the highest level of decision making in the African
continent. I agree that young people are Africa\’s greatest asset and i advocate for the
inclusion of young people in decision process at the AU in other to prepare them for leadership and
consolidation on the gains of the SDGs by 2030 and agenda 2063 of the AU. I will step down
the Model-AU summit training to 20 young Nigerians who are interested in continental leadership in other to build their capacity for the Africa we want.
Austin Ekwujuru, is the Lead at Basic Rights Watch
Follow here @AustinEkwujuru
