Report on the 2009 YPU Annual General Meeting

by Samson Lembani and Marian Grabowski (Intern)

From 3rd to 6th March 2010, the Young Politicians Union (YPU) held its 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Chipoka Lake View Lodge, in Salima. Sponsored by Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the event and attracted over 85 young politicians representing 24 YPU districts in Malawi. Officially opening the AGM was Honourable Minister of Youth Development and Sports Dr. Lucius Kanyumba, MP, who reminded the AGM about the importance of dialogue within political parties. He also seemed to have inspired the YPU members by his full Ministerial position despite having joined politics in 2009 and being relatively youthful (below 36).

The YPU proved their diversity and inter party tolerance by greeting the Honourable Minister with seven election-slogans of political parties represented in the YPU. After the official opening ceremony, group photos were taken and the Minister committed his Ministry to grant YPU with new office computers for the continuation of YPU work in the National Secretariat. The Minister also asked the YPU to submit a compelling business proposal for YPU to access the Youth Development Fund loan.

During proceedings later on Thursday and Friday, different topics were covered including matters arising from annual reports of the National Secretariat and from the district representatives. The discussions following those reports demonstrated the democratic and respectful values YPU Members shared across the party lines. The AGM also received, considered and approved the recommendations of the National Secretariat for a constitutional amendment in respect of the YPU Alumni Network and Friends proposal presenter to them earlier by the KAF Programme Assistant (Intern)-Marian Grabowski. The presentation sought to promote YPU’s governance, enhance the tracking and utilization of YPU Alumni and Friends, and increase YPU’s financial independence from external sources.

Due to frequent power cuts and other delays certain aspects on the AGM programme were differed including a presentation on the Strategic Planning Workshop and a training session on Ethics and Political Leadership. Given that the draft Strategic Plan was not yet delivered by the Consultant, the presentation will be made at regional stakeholder workshops slated for mid April 2010. Likewise, the training session will be covered during subsequent meetings/workshops later in the year. The AGM was concluded with radio interviews for cross-party groups and individuals conducted by Trans World Radio on prospects for youth participation in party politics and national leadership. The recordings which finished after 9:30 pm climaxed two interesting days of political discussions, intense debates and exchange of ideas. This AGM also confirmed the enormous passion of the Malawi youth to play an active role in politics from an early age through the YPU. It was evident, that more indicators of the YPU influence were likely to be observed after the 2010 Local Government Elections in which numerous YPU members will contest as councilors. YPU members pledged for increased coordination and engagement with their respective political parties while mobilizing for increased YPU membership for desirous and qualified youth at district and local level.

KAS Malawi, Lilongwe, 12 March 2010