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Thomas Nybo: A group of more than 100 youth from across Africa have allowed
message for the leaders of the countries in the African Union who
are meeting for the upcoming AU heads of state summit being held
in Kampala, Uganda.

The youth representing 40 countries in Africa gathered in the
nearby Entebbe for the first ever African Youth Forum.

They have just finished writing a call to action. The two of the
youth would deliver to the heads of state summit.

Bonolo Cebe: We hereby tell governments to integrate, scale up and regularly
update life skills and sexual reproductive health education in
school curricular as well as out of school programs in line with
Article 16 of the African Youth Charter.

We strongly urge our governments to invest in capacity building
and development of peer educators, youth volunteers and fund
youth-led initiatives in young centers to promote our participation
in life skills and Sexual Reproduction Health Research advocacy,
training and monitoring.

Thomas Nybo: Their call to action also stressed living accountable, responsible
healthy lifestyles. The young leaders work together over their three
day summit to produce their collective recommendations with
regard to maternal, infant and child health.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni presided over the opening
ceremony. He was joined by UNICEF Regional Director for east
and southern Africa Elhadj As Sy and UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador Mia Farrow who urged the youth to take action.

Mia Farrow: The world is a dangerous place not only because of those who do
evil but because of those who look on and do nothing. Be the
change you wish to see in this world. You can do it. The young are
the majority. The world will belong to you.

Thomas Nybo: Despite having only three days to put together their call to action,
the youth wasted no time tackling such topics as gender-based
violence and the rural poverty in child mortality.

Speaking at forum’s press conference, UNICEF’s representative in
Uganda Dr. Sharad Sapra said the message of the youth is coming
through loud and clear.

Dr. Sharad Sapra: The young, as I've met here and seen in many countries that I've
worked, they're full of aspirations. They want to make a difference.
And they want to be engaged. And they want to be a part of the
solutions. They want their voices to be heard and their ideas to be
heard.

Thomas Nybo: To make sure these young voices are heard, the two African youth
from the forum will read the call to actions key points at the AU
Summit opening ceremony on July 25th and again the next day, in
the Africa First Ladies Meeting.

This is Thomas Nybo reporting for UNICEF Television in
Entebbe, Uganda. For more information, go to UNICEF.org. Unite
for children.