The Danish Africa Commission's focus on youth

The Africa Commission was launched by the Danish Government in May 2008. The aim of the Commission is to present new and creative strategies to revitalize and strengthen international development cooperation with Africa.

The Commission’s overall focus is on Youth and Employment and to enhance the focus of the international community on job opportunities for young Africans.

The objective of this brief is to stimulate reflection on what the focus on “youth” can bring to the work of the Africa Commission. What difference does it make that the Africa Commission addresses employment objectives in framework that focuses on youth? What is called into play by the concept of youth that is absent from discussions about employment tout court?

This brief analyzes these issues and suggests how to integrate growth, employment and youth in the future work of the Commission. It is written by PhD Candidate Jairo Munive, who specializes in youth issues in emergency and post-conflict settings.