THE 2ND EAC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEBATE ON EAC INTEGRATION 2nd – 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2013

   

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY - NYERERE CENTRE FOR PEACE RESEARCH (EAC-NCPR)

2^ND EAC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEBATE ON EAC INTEGRATION

2^nd – 3^rd SEPTEMBER, 2013

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1.0      Background

The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Vision of the EAC is “A prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa”. The Mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments.

The EAC integration is to be realized in an incremental progression through the stages of a Customs Union; Common Market; Monetary Union; and ultimately a Political Federation of the East African States. A fully fledged Customs Union was established on 1st January, 2010, after five years of transitory implementation. The EAC Common Market which came into force on 1st July, 2010, provides for free movement of persons, capital, goods, services, and the rights of residence and establishment. Negotiations for the Monetary Union have commenced and it is expected that they may be concluded soon. The ultimate and the last stage of EAC integration is the Political Federation, institutional and capacity development to lay its foundation are ongoing.

2.0      Engagement with the Youth in East Africa

The youth of East Africa are important stakeholder in the EAC processes and form substantial part of the population. Article 120 (c) of the EAC Treaty[1] provides for adoption of a common approach for involvement of the youth in the integration process through education, training and mainstreaming youth issues into EAC policies, programmes and projects as one of the strategic interventions towards the realization of a fully integrated Community.

The East African Community Youth Summit on EAC Integration and Development Processes held in Arusha, Tanzania from 2^nd – 3^rd November, 2007 set the precedent for youth participation in the EAC integration.  The Summit acknowledged that information and education on East African Integration and development is fundamental for enhancement and sustainability of regional integration. The youth called upon the EAC Secretariat to engage young people as partners to reach out to their peers on issues of EAC Integration and processes which will empower high-level skills needed to drive national and regional development. 

The Secretariat through its Nyerere Centre for Peace Research on a continuous basis has engaged youth on issues pertinent to the integration process through training exchange programs and providing a platform to participate. To date, more than 80 EAC students from East African Universities have benefited from the exchange training programs on Peace and Conflict Resolution and Human Rights. These programs created an enabling environment for students to play an active role in the integration process as well as offered the students a platform that enables them to learn more about the region.

3.0 1st EAC University Students’ Debate on Regional Integration.

In 2012, the Secretariat held the 1^st EAC University Students Debate on Regional Integration. The aim of the debate was to provide a regional platform to promote dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives.

The 1^st EAC University Students’ Debate attracted over 100 students and 15 lecturers from public, private and other higher institutions of learning. In addition, the debate also brought together representation from private sector, civil society, media, technocrats and academia. Six participants were drawn from each Partner States making a total of 30 debaters. Students from other local universities in Arusha also attended and took part in the debate. Mr. John - Sibi Okumu, Inter-University Zain African Challenge, moderated the debate.

As an outcome of the 1^st Debate, 5 EAC Youth Ambassadors were appointed as focal points in their respective Universities. The EAC Youth Ambassadors in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat have sensitized their peers on the EAC integration processes, benefits and challenges. This has enhanced increased awareness on regional integration and networking among institutions of higher learning in the region. 

Moreover, the fact that the EAC integration is people centered, the Youth have the potential to foster creativity, innovation, leadership and sharing of information and nurture a bond of “eastafricaness” with a distinct East African identity that is very much desired. The 1^st debate has seen the formation of EAC Youth Clubs at universities, this has resulted in appreciation and constructive youth dialogues on the integration process.

                                                                                             

3.0      Objective of the University Students Debate

The main objective of the EAC University Students debate is to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives.

The specific objectives are;

    i.        ensure continued participation of the youth in integration matters in the EAC region;

   ii.        encourage networking among university students in a bid to enhance EAC Integration;

 iii.        popularize the EAC integration Agenda through creating platforms that encourage sharing of experiences.

 iv.        prepare the youth for future leadership roles; as they hold the mantle as Ambassadors of integration in the region.

 

4.0      Participation and guidelines for application

The East African Community Secretariat will cover transport expenses, accommodation and meals for the participants during the two days event.

Six participants will be selected from each of the EAC Partner State, drawn from national universities, public, private and other institutions of higher learning. The participants will be either on the opposition or proposition side but the Secretariat reserves the prerogative to ensure that both sides have equitable membership. More information will be submitted to successful candidates in good time to allow for sufficient preparations.

The Debate will be based on a topical issue related to the EAC integration. It will be moderated by five judges with expertise on the specific area of discussion and on the overall area of EAC integration in general and political integration in particular.

Participation in this debate is limited to students who are in their second year at the university pursuing a degree. Students who participated in the 1^st debate need not to apply to give an opportunity to others to take part. Interested applicants with good analytical and communication skills; and a good command of English are encouraged to apply. Please note that the Debate will be conducted in English.

5.0 Expected Outcomes

The debate will also bring together representatives from academia, private sector, civil society, media and technocrats from the East African region who will listen to the debate and make their comments on the strength of the deliberations and make recommendations on the way forward for the debate. The debate will be streamed live on the EAC website to enable a wide view of the event and broadcasted in the media. This will be followed by highlights of key emerging issues and best debaters will be appointed as EAC Youth Ambassadors 2013/2014 with an obligation to spear head peer to peer learning in their respective universities in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and EAC Ministries in the Partner States. There will a Dinner Gala where a cash prize will be given to the Best debaters and the winning team.

In the spirit of promoting a sense of “eastafricaness”, it is expected that by the end of the debate, a bond will have been created among the students thereby shaping and nurturing the East African identity among the youth, in the long run. Participants would have been empowered to continue engaging in debate on matters of EAC integration. The EAC University Debate on regional integration provides a pedestal to the youth to participate and contribute to policy formulation on issues that constitute the EAC Youth agenda.

How to apply

Applicants who are interested to participate should apply by explaining why they are interested to participate, indicate which University they come from and the Year of Study.

In addition, applicants are expected to write an essay on “Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges arising from the EAC Integration for Youth in East Africa”. The essay should not exceed 2 pages, bookman old style font with single line spacing.  Lastly, applicants are required to attach their CVs, copies of their national ID and University Identity Card.

Please send your applications to – EAC-Nyerere Centre for Peace Research, on Email: eac@eachq.org and copy Ms Barbara Kaboha, Program Assistant, Nyerere Centre for Peace Research, on email – BKaboha@eachq.org and Pamela Kanora, Research Assistant, Political Affairs, on email PKanora@eachq.org. The application should reach EAC not later than 2^nd August, 2013.

East African Community Secretariat

July, 2013

Arusha - Tanzania

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[1] The Treaty for Establishment of the EAC is available at www.eac.int

KENYA’S DATE WITH DESTINY

Today, Monday the 4^th of March 2013, is truly a defining moment for Kenya. It is on this day that a General Election will be conducted under the guidance of the new constitution and it will pave way for a new order in the country. The long and short of it is that, the leaders who will be elected into office will be the pioneers of an entirely new system of governance in Kenya. 

The last time Kenya went into an election, she emerged jaded, badly bruised and battered. Her economy took a nose dive and worse, she lost thousands of her citizens in devastating post poll violence. Five years down the line, and with the disturbing images of the last poll still fresh in most Kenyan’s memories, the need for peace and calm during this election period cannot be overemphasized. 

The unequivocal peace messages reverberating across the media, social networks and all public and private gatherings should be taken seriously by all Kenyans. Thing is, we all have a part to play in promoting peace and calm during and after the elections.

Talking about the date with destiny, it has been preceded by some most fascinating events, top of which was the first ever Kenyan presidential debate. In a series of two debates, held within a span of two weeks, one woman and seven men seeking Kenya’s most powerful office were engaged in an ego bruising battle of the titans. The debate was truly a defining moment where Kenyans got the chance to evaluate all the candidates in one of East Africa’s most followed events. Broadcasted across all television and radio stations in Kenya, the debate touched on all the major issues such as land, corruption and the economy, all of which are paramount in the determination of the right crop of leaders. 

The Kenyan presidential debate.

I am filled with nothing but hope for a better and peaceful Kenya as the Kenyan electorate take to the polling stations to elect the next crop of leaders. I wish to state as in my previous posts that every voter must make a decision they can live with for the next five years. It is their sole responsibility to vote for the best candidates for the various posts. This opportunity comes only once every five years and as such one must stand to be counted as making a contribution for better governance.

We must not forget that in every election, there must be winners and losers. Eight candidates are seeking to lead Kenya but only one can be president at any given point. Kenya is a democratic country and the principles of democracy demand that the majority have their way while the minorities have their say. We must all be prepared for the outcome of the election results and desist from activities which might cause violence or tension regardless of whether our preferred candidates win or lose.

The future of our beloved country and its future generations highly depends on the vote you will cast and your personal initiative to maintain peace and calm. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and as such tolerance MUST be exercised now more than ever before.

Maintenance of peace during and after the election is the responsibility of each one of us.

 

VOTE FOR PEACE, CALM AND STABILITY IN KENYA!!