2ND EAC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEBATE ON EAC INTEGRATION 2nd – 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2013 (CONCEPT NOTE-ADVERTISEMENT)

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY - NYERERE CENTRE FOR PEACE RESEARCH (EAC-NCPR) 2ND EAC UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEBATE ON EAC INTEGRATION 2nd – 3rd SEPTEMBER, 2013 (CONCEPT NOTE-ADVERTISEMENT) 1.0 Background The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania with its Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Vision of the EAC is “A prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East Africa”. The Mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments. The EAC integration is to be realized in an incremental progression through the stages of a Customs Union; Common Market; Monetary Union; and ultimately a Political Federation of the East African States. A fully fledged Customs Union was established on 1st January, 2010, after five years of transitory implementation. The EAC Common Market which came into force on 1st July, 2010, provides for free movement of persons, capital, goods, services, and the rights of residence and establishment. Negotiations for the Monetary Union have commenced and it is expected that they may be concluded soon. The ultimate and the last stage of EAC integration is the Political Federation, institutional and capacity development to lay its foundation are ongoing. 2.0 Engagement with the Youth in East Africa The youth of East Africa are important stakeholder in the EAC processes and form substantial part of the population. Article 120 (c) of the EAC Treaty provides for adoption of a common approach for involvement of the youth in the integration process through education, training and mainstreaming youth issues into EAC policies, programmes and projects as one of the strategic interventions towards the realization of a fully integrated Community. The East African Community Youth Summit on EAC Integration and Development Processes held in Arusha, Tanzania from 2nd – 3rd November, 2007 set the precedent for youth participation in the EAC integration. The Summit acknowledged that information and education on East African Integration and development is fundamental for enhancement and sustainability of regional integration. The youth called upon the EAC Secretariat to engage young people as partners to reach out to their peers on issues of EAC Integration and processes which will empower high-level skills needed to drive national and regional development. The Secretariat through its Nyerere Centre for Peace Research on a continuous basis has engaged youth on issues pertinent to the integration process through training exchange programs and providing a platform to participate. To date, more than 80 EAC students from East African Universities have benefited from the exchange training programs on Peace and Conflict Resolution and Human Rights. These programs created an enabling environment for students to play an active role in the integration process as well as offered the students a platform that enables them to learn more about the region. 3.0 1st EAC University Students’ Debate on Regional Integration. In 2012, the Secretariat held the 1st EAC University Students Debate on Regional Integration. The aim of the debate was to provide a regional platform to promote dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives. The 1st EAC University Students’ Debate attracted over 100 students and 15 lecturers from public, private and other higher institutions of learning. In addition, the debate also brought together representation from private sector, civil society, media, technocrats and academia. Six participants were drawn from each Partner States making a total of 30 debaters. Students from other local universities in Arusha also attended and took part in the debate. Mr. John - Sibi Okumu, Inter-University Zain African Challenge, moderated the debate. As an outcome of the 1st Debate, 5 EAC Youth Ambassadors were appointed as focal points in their respective Universities. The EAC Youth Ambassadors in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat have sensitized their peers on the EAC integration processes, benefits and challenges. This has enhanced increased awareness on regional integration and networking among institutions of higher learning in the region. Moreover, the fact that the EAC integration is people centered, the Youth have the potential to foster creativity, innovation, leadership and sharing of information and nurture a bond of “eastafricaness” with a distinct East African identity that is very much desired. The 1st debate has seen the formation of EAC Youth Clubs at universities, this has resulted in appreciation and constructive youth dialogues on the integration process. 3.0 Objective of the University Students Debate The main objective of the EAC University Students debate is to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives. The specific objectives are; i. ensure continued participation of the youth in integration matters in the EAC region; ii. encourage networking among university students in a bid to enhance EAC Integration; iii. popularize the EAC integration Agenda through creating platforms that encourage sharing of experiences. iv. prepare the youth for future leadership roles; as they hold the mantle as Ambassadors of integration in the region. 4.0 Participation and guidelines for application The East African Community Secretariat will cover transport expenses, accommodation and meals for the participants during the two days event. Six participants will be selected from each of the EAC Partner State, drawn from national universities, public, private and other institutions of higher learning. The participants will be either on the opposition or proposition side but the Secretariat reserves the prerogative to ensure that both sides have equitable membership. More information will be submitted to successful candidates in good time to allow for sufficient preparations. The Debate will be based on a topical issue related to the EAC integration. It will be moderated by five judges with expertise on the specific area of discussion and on the overall area of EAC integration in general and political integration in particular. 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 1st debate need not to apply to give an opportunity to others to take part. Interested applicants with good analytical and communication skills; and a good command of English are encouraged to apply. Please note that the Debate will be conducted in English. 5.0 Expected Outcomes The debate will also bring together representatives from academia, private sector, civil society, media and technocrats from the East African region who will listen to the debate and make their comments on the strength of the deliberations and make recommendations on the way forward for the debate. The debate will be streamed live on the EAC website to enable a wide view of the event and broadcasted in the media. This will be followed by highlights of key emerging issues and best debaters will be appointed as EAC Youth Ambassadors 2013/2014 with an obligation to spear head peer to peer learning in their respective universities in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and EAC Ministries in the Partner States. There will a Dinner Gala where a cash prize will be given to the Best debaters and the winning team. In the spirit of promoting a sense of “eastafricaness”, it is expected that by the end of the debate, a bond will have been created among the students thereby shaping and nurturing the East African identity among the youth, in the long run. Participants would have been empowered to continue engaging in debate on matters of EAC integration. The EAC University Debate on regional integration provides a pedestal to the youth to participate and contribute to policy formulation on issues that constitute the EAC Youth agenda. How to apply Applicants who are interested to participate should apply by explaining why they are interested to participate, indicate which University they come from and the Year of Study. In addition, applicants are expected to write an essay on “Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges arising from the EAC Integration for Youth in East Africa”. The essay should not exceed 2 pages, bookman old style font with single line spacing. Lastly, applicants are required to attach their CVs, copies of their national ID and University Identity Card. Please send your applications to – EAC-Nyerere Centre for Peace Research, on Email: eac@eachq.org and copy Ms Barbara Kaboha, Program Assistant, Nyerere Centre for Peace Research, on email – BKaboha@eachq.org and Pamela Kanora, Research Assistant, Political Affairs, on email PKanora@eachq.org. The application should reach EAC not later than 2nd August, 2013. East African Community Secretariat July, 2013 Arusha - Tanzania