Mogadishu, 10 December 2020
Today, the European Union and its partners have joined hands to celebrate Human Rights Day. On this significant day, the European Union remains fully committed to the respect, the protection and fulfilment of the human rights for all, in Somalia and in all parts of the world.
To mark this day, the EU Ambassador to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga-Martinez and the Country Representative of UNFPA Anders Thomsen together with the Federal Minister of Planning, Investment and Economic Development Gamal Mohamed Hassan, the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Duran Ahmed Farah, and the Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Said Hamza, have launched the Dalbile Youth Initiative to empower the Somali youth. The EU has provided 6 millions EUR for this project that will support job creation for the youth and will be implemented by the UNFPA with local partners Irise and Shaqadoon.
Similarly, the EU launched an exhibition within its premises with the Somali Arts Foundation (SAF), one of the first contemporary arts institutions in Somalia, to showcase the work and the talent of several young Somali artists.
In order to further explore the connections between Human Rights and Arts, a panel discussion was organised with the following participants:
-EU Ambassador to Somalia, Nicolas Berlanga-Martinez
-Hamza Said Hamza, the Minister of Youth and Sports;
-Sagal Ali, founder of the Somali Arts Foundation (SAF);
-Jawahir Mohamud Jamac of Banadir Women’s Group;
-Abdulkadir Mohamed Ato, field coordinator of CISP cultural programs;
The discussion, that was followed by a vibrant question and answer session, will be aired on Radio Goobjoog and widely covered on social media.
For more information:
EU Delegation to Somalia
Background on the Dalbile Youth Initiative
The European Union (EU) has provided 6 Million Euros to support the Government of Somalia, through UNFPA, on a new project called the Dalbile Youth Initiative. Over a duration of 3.5. years, the project will contribute to stability in Somalia by extending state authority and services, promoting local reconciliation and peacebuilding, creating inclusive economic opportunities and protecting the most vulnerable youth socially and economically.
The project promotes a holistic approach to youth empowerment that focuses on employability, but goes beyond that by fostering an enabling environment for positive youth development that improves the lives of youth.
The project also partners with local youth-led organisations Irise and Shaqadoon that initiated Somalia’s first fully-fledged Innovation Hub, which functions as a co-working space and provides research, incubation, and acceleration services for new start-ups.
The project falls under the Inclusive Local Economic Development (ILED) programme of EU’s Emergency Trust Fund for Stability, which addresses the root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. The ILED programmes contributes to three results areas: stabilization and local governance, inclusive and sustainable growth and protection of the most vulnerable.
