Seychellois youth appointed on African Union Youth Assembly   |10 January 2023

Hopes to enhance networking on youth-related issues with the continent

Seychellois youth, Trevor Louise, is the newest member of the African Union Youth Assembly (AUYA), following the nomination, selection and voting process by the AUYA Electoral Council Board.

His appointment as Country President Elect of Seychelles was announced officially yesterday by the Ethiopian-based organisation, which has called on him to be a powerful Voice for the African Youth and young people from Seychelles, and to represent them at the upcoming Parliamentary youth assembly events.

Mr Louise has also been voted as a Board member of the Security Council, whose primary responsibility is to unite youth and young people of Africa, before, during and after their country's elections, to ensure there is peace, unity, solidarity and harmony in Africa, while at the same time training them to be watchdogs for peace.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Mr Louise said he felt honoured to be voted in as a member of the AUYA and described it as “another step in the right direction”.

“Seychelles can learn a lot from Africa and this appointment will further connect us to the continent, allowing more networking and discussions on youth-related issues, ensuring Seychelles’ voices are heard,” he said.

The 27-year-old had submitted his applications following AUYA’s call for country representatives and believed he has been chosen for his activism and humanitarian contributions both locally and on the continent.

Mr Louise is known for his work and involvement in nationwide anti-bullying campaign through his non-governmental organisation, ‘Stand Up, Step Up Seychelles’, as well as community and volunteerism work in various rural areas in African countries, including Kenya and Tanzania.

The first event he will be attending is the upcoming Executive Council on February 26, where he will be further briefed on his appointment and role to champion the African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN Resolution 2250 which promotes youth, peace and security in Seychelles and globally.

AUYA is an independent youth-led body of non-profit status. It operates under the youth government Treaty, which has 54 African countries as its permanent signatories to the Youth Charter, with 54 youth-presidents elected from each country within the continent.

The full membership of AUYA includes among others, the Country’s Youth President elects, AUYA security councils, regional youth leaders, young politicians and advocates as well as humanitarians climate activists and students.

AUYA is responsible to host the annual youth assembly.

Mr Louise’s appointment, which takes effect on January 9, 2023, is for a two-year mandate.

Patsy Canaya