CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: SOUTHERN YOUTH DIALOGUE ON ELECTORAL REFORM

[samson itodo]

In the Month of August 2009, Youth Action Initiative Africa will gather youths/students from Southern extraction in the South to discuss critical issues on the electoral reform. The dialogue will give southern youths a platform to make their voices heard on what they feel should be their position on the electoral reform.
There is no gainsaying that the notion that Electoral reform, Rule of law and due adherence to democratic norms and principles as the kernel of any democratic development has often been harped upon by modern day political actors.

It is imperative that as young people we do not lose sight of the long term effects and succour electoral reform will bring to our much maligned electoral process. Although it is not out of place to say that youths have always been

The Southern Youth Dialogue will provide a platform for Youths/Students from across Southern Nigeria to voice their views on the Electoral Reform and to express their aspirations for the future giving the obstinacy of the current government in defeating the reform agenda. Their conclusions will be conveyed to the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, where it is believed to be the battle field for the debate on the Electoral reform.

The Dialogue will herald the evolution of an integrated mechanism that will engage Nigerian youths in the much needed and talked about electoral reform. With the pride of place accorded electoral reform in the 7 point agenda of the present administration, an opportunity has presented itself for all young Nigerians to think electoral reform and work electoral reform. "This is a Turning Point for Nigeria”.

APPLICATION CRITERIA
Intending participants;
• must be youths between the ages of 15 to 35 years of age.
• must be an indigene from any of the southern states of Nigeria.
• must be resident in a Southern state.
• must be affiliated to an organisation or its alternative.

HOW TO APPLY
Send your Expression of Interest via email. Your Email should contain the following details;
• Name
• Sex
• Contact Address
• Date of Birth
• State of Origin
• State of Residence (If different from state of origin)
• Organisation
• Why do you want to participate the event
• How will the event add value to your work

Send your Expression of Interest to [e-mail] . The subject of the email should be “Your Name, SYD Application”. (For example; Taiwo Chinedu Aghogho, SYD Application)
Application closes 3rd August 2009.
For more information feel free to contact;

Cynthia Mbamalu
Project Director
08060763786
Or
Bamidele Ogundele
Program Support
07065344510