EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
EAST
AFRICAN COMMUNITY - NYERERE CENTRE FOR PEACE RESEARCH (EAC-NCPR)
2ND EAC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEBATE ON EAC INTEGRATION
2nd
– 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2013
(CONCEPT NOTE-ADVERTISEMENT)
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 2nd – 3rd
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 1st 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
1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st 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 2nd August, 2013.
East
African Community Secretariat
July,
2013
Arusha - Tanzania
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