Model African Union Summit

The FES AU Cooperation Office in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), ACCORD, and the African Union Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO) has organized the Model African Union Summit at the University of Johannesburg, in South Africa, from 17-20^th of April 2023. 

The event was attended by nearly 300 students from the UJ and leaders from the African Union, including the Pan African Parliament’s Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Southern Africa Regional Office’s Ambassador David Pierre, and high-level representatives from UN and AU specialized agencies. 

Students had the opportunity to role-played the role of delegates, ministers and leaders of the African Union members states and able to discuss the most pressing topics in Africa. In doing so, they have become familiar with the African Union, its mission and the different departments within. Most importantly, they had simulated the AU decision-making process.

Besides, the summit also provides students a platform to discuss about the African Union agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement (AfCFTA), and issues pertaining to the African continent in general. The spirit of Pan-Africanism and togetherness is also something at the core of the summit principles.

Keynote address from the African Union and UN delegates highlight why African needs a people driven development and for that, young people are a key and should play a major role in transforming African into a global powerhouse.  The summit concludes by emphasizing the role of young people in brining change and accountability in Africa and urges the students to take active role and leadership in national and regional matters.