Preparations are underway for the 6th East African Community University Students’ Debate due to take place from 30th to 31st October 2018 at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
This year’s debate will run under the them “Border management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in the East African Community: Role and Implications for the youth”.
The debate is set to enhance youth participation in the EAC integration agenda and processes.
According to a press statement from the secretariat, EAC recognizes that the youth are a crucial resource in the social economic and political development of the Community.
The EAC has been undertaking various initiatives to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and promoting their participation in moving regional integration.
The EAC University Students’ Debate lays emphasis on the use of the value and policy approaches given that the EAC integration is people-centred and Private Sector driven, hence giving the youth an opportunity to come up with policies that will enable the Secretariat to develop programs and initiatives aimed at empowering youth in the region.
The debate provides a platform for promoting dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives.
It also aims to promote continued participation of the youth on issues of the EAC integration; encourage networking among university students/youth to enhance regional integration; as well as prepare the youth for future leadership roles at regional and international levels.
Last year, the University of Gitwe in Ruhango District (Rwanda) emerged the winner of 2017 Inter-University Competition on East African Community Integration.
The 2018 edition of the debate will feature discussions on issues related to: Border management for secure, safe and easy movement of people and goods, Border management to minimize the risk of inter-state conflicts and tensions between neighbouring Partner States other issues will be on Young people as movers of the factors of production and the free movement of persons across EAC borders.
BY SAMUEL NABWIISO
