A new $ 1.4 million project to create employment opportunities for Youth in Burundi
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol III, Issue #118 | Thursday, September 3, 2020
This is a new version of the RegionWeek Newsletter for the 3rd season( July-December 2020). The content targets Business leaders, Decision-makers, and Young professionals with interests in Burundi and East Africa. Subscribe to stay productive, and competitive in a pandemic and disrupted season.
Dear Readers,
This Thursday IOM Burundi in Collaboration with the Government of Burundi(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation) and the Africa Development Bank launched a new project that aims to reduce youth unemployment in Burundi through diaspora involvement.
The project will cost around $ 1.4 million with the main objective of reducing youth unemployment in Burundi by creating sustainable employment opportunities, as announced by Ali Abdi, head of mission a.i of IOMBurundi.
It is essential to involve young people not only as beneficiaries of projects but also as important partners, especially through economic empowerment through decent work and the creation of livelihoods. - Ali Abdi
Over 450 young people from Bujumbura and Gitega, young people at risk of irregular immigration, those who may be subject to human trafficking, those at risk of violence or criminality, internally displaced persons, returnees as well as young people engaged in sports activities within associations will get support by the project "Reducing youth unemployment by building the capacities through Diaspora involvement", with funding from the Africa Development Bank
"This project aims to integrate the skills of the diaspora into the general development of Burundi, with an emphasis on the transfer of knowledge and the exchange of experiences in all its forms. “- Amb. Albert Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Project will bring together experts from the Burundian diaspora, young people, the private sector, and the government through a series of training on business, professional skills, coupled with internships.
By facilitating dialogue between the Burundian government and the diaspora, the project should strengthen the participation of the diaspora in the implementation of the government's National Development Plan (2018-2027) and promote youth empowerment.
The agricultural sector, which is the main provider of jobs in Burundi, is increasingly impacted by the depletion of arable land and population growth. Diversifying jobs is therefore essential to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners.
With 173 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems, and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
Support RegionWeek Newsletter!
Contribute at least $5/Month, and join our amazing community of supporters!
Unicef new representative in Burundi
Mr. John Agbor has presented his credentials as a UNICEF Representative in Burundi. Till his appointment, Mr. Agbor worked as Team Lead for Polio Eradication Programme at UNICEF Pakistan. He held various positions from Hospital practitioner through Project Coordinator, he worked as a field doctor in Cyangugu Rwanda, through Emergency Coordinator Tchad, Field Coordinator Dadaab Refugee Camps, Medical Coordinator DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Lewis Mudge: “This is not the time to relax scrutiny on [Burundi].”
In a piece titled “It’s Too Early to End Burundi Inquiry” Lewis Mudge the Central Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, thinks EU Should Take Action to Ensure the Mandate of the commission established in September 2016 to investigate human rights violations and abuses in Burundi since the crisis broke out in April 2015, is extended.
For him, the commission remains the only independent mechanism with sufficient resources and experience to document, monitor, and report on human rights violations in Burundi, and the only one tasked with identifying perpetrators and ending impunity.
He calls EU member states to support the renewal of its mandate and propose specific actions Burundi should take to facilitate a much-hoped-for rapprochement with the international community. He warns that failing to renew the mandate would signal to the government its strategy of stonewalling independent bodies investigating abuse has worked. Until Ndayishimiye shows a willingness to translate promises into action, the commission should continue its work, concludes Lewis Mudge.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, RegionWeek.com
Support RegionWeek Newsletter!
Contribute at least $5/Month, and join our amazing community of supporters!
RegionWeek is a Burundi-based media for a new generation of achievers in Africa, a platform devoted to chronicling the journey to Freedom and Empowerment.