BY CORRESPONDENT
1st July 2013
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This was asserted by Richard Owora Othieno , EAC Secretariat Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs who pointed out that the benefits of political integration far outweigh the challenges of securing the integration.
He was addressing a youth awareness and sensitisation forum on regional political integration at a debate session held in Nairobi over the weekend.
In his remarks, read by the EAC-GIZ Media Expert, Sukhdev Chhatbar, the Community official underscored that the fruits of political integration will be enjoyed by all.
The need to educate the youth on political integration was also raised and Phyllis Watwana from the Kenya Ministry of EA Affairs implored the youth to be proactive and embrace integration and the cooperation efforts.
She called on them to be in the frontline in educating and informing the general public on the benefits of political integration and to encourage the spirit of “East Africanism” as well as to take advantage of the cooperation that now exists between the five-member states.
She pointed out that so doing would serve to demystify false notions and eliminate the fear that many citizens still harbour regarding political integration.
Further, that it would, eliminate fear of the unknown and suspicion among citizens of member states and hence the vital need for civic education on the benefits of EAC integration, the forum heard.
Watwana also reminded them that with the integration, there is now a wider market, trade barriers have been removed, and that they can take up employment in any EAC member state now that the Common Market Protocol is in force.
The need to reach out to rural communities was also underscored since they too stand to benefit from the integration process both socially as well as economically noting that it is these communities that produce most all of the countries’ food and hence have a lot to gain from the integration and lift of trade barriers.
It was however also noted that some member states still have many non-tariff barriers that considerably hinder trade and the free movement of people between the five member states. Also, although many regional laws have been signed they are still not harmonised with the national laws of the EAC member states.
The students called for a Youth Advisory Board that will serve as a platform to provide the youth with all relevant information on integration. The Board would also respond to any queries that may be raised by the youth.
They also insisted on fast-tracking the EAC Youth Policy and Youth Council in order to give the youth observer status at the EAC Secretariat.
The organisers of the forum assured the youth that all their observations would be relayed to the EAC Secretariat. They commended the youth on their zeal to realise the EAC integration and cooperation .
Held at the Kenyatta University Town Campus and themed “Promoting Youth Involvement in the EAC Political Integration Process” the summit held a motion, “This House believes that the benefits of political integration outweigh the challenges,” which was debated hotly by the competing teams.
The forum was coordinated by the EAC Kenya Ambassadorial team and Africa Youth Trust in collaboration with the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism.
It was moderated by the Kenya National Debate Council and attended by Kenyan public universities as wells as some private ones and it was convened that hurdles faced by the East African Community (EAC) are normal in any integration process and will be overcome in due course.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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