BUJUMBURA September 22nd (ABP) – The Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza represented the Head of State to open, Thursday September 21, 2023 in Bujumbura, a high-level youth forum (Youth impulse 3rd edition) under the theme: “The role of young people in achieving the vision Burundi Country emerging in 2040 and developed in 2060.”
Mr. Bazombanza said that 1,000 young people including those financed by the youth economic empowerment and employment program (PAEEJ), those coming from other countries of the East African community (EAC) and the youth representation at African level participate in that forum.
He recalled that in 2020, 1.5 billion young people were between 15 and 24 years old, or 16% of the world people. Even in Burundi, according to the general population census which took place in 2008, 66% of Burundian youth were under 25 years old.
According to the Vice-President of the Republic, the majority of young people are a force, or a capital that must be exploited. Young people are the pillar of development. They cannot plan development projects without taking youth into account. For that reason, the government of Burundi is very concerned about youth unemployment.
Structures such as BIJE, PAEEJ and FIGA have been set up to help young people launch into entrepreneurship and carry out development projects for their self-development and for the development of the country.
He asked the young participants in this forum to take advantage of these two days that this retreat will last, to share experiences. These young people are also urged to tackle development work, dare to undertake even with small capital, create jobs, raise awareness among other young people who have not yet understood the advantage of undertaking, and not underestimate jobs, be courageous and ambitious to succeed in contributing to the realization of the 2040-2060 vision explaining that “the better future of Burundi lies in the hands of the youth”.
Young people are also called upon to respond to the general census of people, housing, agriculture and livestock which will take place at the end of August 2024 because the statistics from this census will be used in the development of projects and development programs for the country.
For the partners, the Vice-President of the Republic invited them to support the government in its programs aimed at youth development.
The opening ceremonies of this forum were closed with a visit to the stands of PAEEJ beneficiaries.
Note also that the forum saw the participation of the President of the Constitutional Court, deputies, representatives of political parties, representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited in Bujumbura, executives of the Presidency of the Republic and the Prime Minister and others.