Activity Details

Economics and the promotion of youth leadership

The economy and the promotion of youth leadership The structural transformation of the economy in our countries is an ongoing process that requires a constant commitment at national and regional levels, in collaboration with development partners. Regional policies are being implemented; however, West Africa today faces enormous geopolitical and geographical challenges, notably insecurity, which gives rise to political, economic and humanitarian crises. However, there can be no development or implementation of an inclusive economy without peace and social cohesion. These factors are closely linked to ECOWAS’s commitment to working towards ‘ECOWAS of the People: Peace and Prosperity for All’ by 2050. Policies aimed at empowering young people through entrepreneurship and tackling unemployment are essential for the rebranding and sustainable growth of economies. At regional level, the institution is implementing projects in various fields to foster an integrated approach to the economies of Member States. In this regard, it is worth noting that promoting youth leadership and harnessing their skills for the benefit of communities are major priorities for the Commission. The implementation of the graduate immersion programme by the Commission’s Department of Human Development and Social Affairs, and the ECOWAS (PVC) by the Centre for Youth and Sports Development (CDJS) are examples of initiatives that are fully in line with this commitment to promoting young people’s skills. The CDJS is the ECOWAS Commission agency responsible for community issues relating to young people. As part of this drive to empower young people and make them a valuable asset to the regional community, the Commission held a training workshop on 28 March to equip them with the knowledge needed to have a positive impact on society and businesses. The three-day training session in Lomé follows on from a series of training sessions held in November 2022 in Abidjan, which were based on the same philosophy. #cdjs #ecowas #cedeao Photos: ecowas-cedeao