Preparations are at an advanced stage for the 6th East African Community University Students’ Debate scheduled to take place from October 30-31, 2018 at the University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Themed “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.
The EAC University Students’ Debate Model is an interactive and representational style of debating aimed at educating, discussing and making resolutions among the Youth in East Africa to nurture a bond of “East Africaness” with a distinct East African identity that is highly desirable. The objective of the Debate Model is to exchange information, share ideas and cultivate common ground on regional integration issues among the students and youth in the Community.
The EAC recognizes that youth are a crucial asset, an important key resource and partners in 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 the EAC 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 develop programs and initiatives aimed at empowering youth in the region.
The debate provides a platform to promote dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives. The Debate 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 as they hold the mantle as Ambassadors of EAC integration in the region.
Participants will have to write a one-page motivation letter explaining why they are interested to participate and indicating which University or institution you come from and the Year of Study; a two-page essay on “Migrant smuggling, corruption and effectiveness of boarder management for youth empowerment in EAC,” and they are also required to present a scanned copy of University Identity Card and a bio data page of their Passport.
The 2018 edition of the Debate is 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; Young people as movers of the factors of production and the free movement of persons across EAC borders; Migrant smuggling and human trafficking as threat to young people and EAC integration; The issues of bribery and corruption at the border points as a threat to the security of the community; and Other barriers to free movement across the borders
But 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 last three debates need not to apply to give an opportunity to others to take part. Interested applicants with good analytical, communication skills, and a good command of English are encouraged to apply.
Students from University or Institutions of Higher Learning in the East African Countries who are interested to participate should apply by submitting the following documents:
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