AUY VC calls for Applications for 2017

The African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC), a continental development programme that recruits youth volunteers across all 54 African Union member states and the African Diaspora, is open for 2017 applications.

Established in 2010, this development program promotes volunteering to deepen the status of young people in Africa as key participants in the delivery of Africa’s human development targets and goals. It brings people together to share skills, knowledge, creativity and learning to build a more integrated Continent and by implication strengthen Africa’s relevance in the globalised world and towards achieving the AU vision of ‘the Africa we want’.

Mohamed Naeim, from Sudan, and Saminas Belaynh, from Ethiopia, are some of the successful AU-YVC young professionals who were selected from thousands of young African applicants. The two are currently volunteers at the AU Foundation, where they are impacting lives of fellow young people across Africa.

“I graduated from Debre Birhan University in the field of Business Management and worked as a branch controller at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. However, I’ve always been passionate about youth development. Through the AU-YVC programme, I am living my dream as a Fundraising Officer at the AU Foundation based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

My portfolio includes drafting concept notes for the various AU Foundation programs, communicating with different stakeholders and representing the AU Foundation at associated youth platforms. The AU-YVC programme allows me to contribute my own skills for our continental programs like Agenda2063 and also for human development on the Africa Continent, says Saminas.

Mohammed also encourages young Africans to take advantage of this opportunity and change their lives as well as those of fellow Africans.

“My mission in life has always been to achieve prosperity for my country, the whole of Africa, and in turn, the human family. I studied development and gained experience in Sudan, Malaysia and the Philippines. The AU-YVC programme gave me the opportunity to follow my passion and become a front liner in the fight for Africa’s prosperity, explains Mohammed.

Applications are open to all citizens of AU Member State or African Diaspora aged between 18 – 33 years who are in possession of a post-secondary certified qualification until August 22, 2016.

To apply, visit www.africa-youth.org/auyvc.