Africa - Europe Week highlights road safety in Africa

YOURS - Youth for Road Safety through the Global Youth Coalition is leading an official side-event for Africa - Europe Week happening from the 14th to the 18 of February. The event, “Road Safety and Youth in Africa”, will gather youth leaders and high-level decision-makers to talk about the situation of African roads and how they affect young people and other road users.

Every year, 1.3 million people die on the world’s roads with young people being one of the most affected. The global rate of road safety comes up to 18.2 per one hundred thousand. Per the same hundred thousand, the rate in Europe is 9.3 while in Africa it comes up to a staggering 26.6.

In the Global Youth Statement for Road Safety, young people from the African region expressed their distress over badly designed infrastructure that put pedestrians in dangerous situations and have increased the likelihood of motor vehicles getting involved in serious crashes.

Another issue raised was the lack of basic education and awareness that produces drivers with a lack of training and knowledge on road safety. Further, the air pollution caused by unworthy vehicles makes it hard for communities to breathe. 

The Coalition will be represented by four youth leaders from the African region. These leaders include; Linda Nekesa Masibo from Kenya, Oliva Nalwadda from Uganda, Omnia el Omrani from Egypt, and Simon Patrick Obi from Nigeria. The leaders will voice out their experiences and situations they face when it comes to road safety. 

The youth leaders will be sharing these updates with leaders from the European Union and, together, will produce solutions and provide clear set recommendations on how to improve road safety in the region. 

Africa- Europe Week will gather stakeholders from the African and European regions to strengthen the partnership between the two continents. This will be accomplished through a series of events that lead up to the 6th African Union-European Union Summit.

The themes that would be discussed throughout the Week would include digital transformation, equitable green partnerships, health, and education. During the different dialogues, participants will present their recommendations to leaders from the African Union and the European Union. 

The road safety and youth in Africa side event will touch on road safety and meaningful youth engagement in the African region. Don’t miss the conversation and the chance to share your opinions and ideas on the topic! 

Claim your space in the session by registering!