African Urban Youth Assembly - Youth and Prosperity of Cities - Summary Report

The first African Urban Youth Assembly was held from the 26th to 28th July 2011 in Abuja, Nigeria. The assembly was organized by UN-HABITAT with the generous support of Nigerian Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Royal Norwegian Government. The assembly brought together over three hundred enthusiastic youth from diverse backgrounds from 23 African countries. The African Urban Youth Assembly provided youth, youth groups, and development practitioners engaged in social, political and economic dimensions of youth work and urban development the opportunity to discuss and exchange experiences on the role and contribution of young people in the prosperity of cities. Participants shared best practices from their initiatives and government policies promoting youth empowerment in a number of areas related to economy, environment and equity. The theme selected for African Urban Youth Assembly was “Youth and Prosperity of Cities”. This theme was selected in realization of the vast opportunities available in the urban areas as well as the capabilities of youth to create wealth in cities. The theme is also in line with World Urban forum 6 theme “Urban Futures: Prosperity of cities: Balancing Ecology, Economy and Equity”.