Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, thank you very much for honoring our Invitation. The Model African Union Summit is a high level youth Summit, organized by the Model African Union for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana as part of the African Union Day week long Celebration. This partnership has long existed but was further strengthened last year with the Inaugural Model African Union Summit held last year the 26th of May at the Accra International Conference Center, the Model African Union is the only continental summit that Simulates the African Union with the aim of training and educating the youth on the workings of the African Union with the goal of setting a new standard for the African Youth. Last year’s conference which was organized in just three days saw over 200 Student leaders arrive in Ghana from across Africa for the 1st ever Model African Union which discussed the theme “ Accelerating the role of the Youth in Sustainable Development” and has today led to the formation of the Ghana Youth Employment Forum held in partnership with the World Bank Office and has also led to the establishment of the “Ghana Center for Entrepreneurship, Employment and Innovation” evidently captured in the 2012 Budget Highlights, page 24 paragraph 107. An idea proposed by us the Youth and been implemented this year. As I speak to you this project will be commissioned later this year and as you can tell our efforts in discussing the “The acceleration of the Youth in sustainable development has and is ultimately paying off. That is how committed the Youth are to the Development of the Continent Africa. We are in talks with our Liberian Counter parts to also implement the Center for Entrepreneurship, Employment and Innovation in their country, a project widely seen by many industry players as a Game changer. This year’s summit like last year is organized for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of this year’s African Union Day Celebration and will be chaired by selected Outstanding Youth who will serve on the Secretariat as Officials and all others who apply to be participants will be chosen as Delegates. Delegates and will be officials who apply will be chosen through a selective process. For one to be considered as a Delegate, one has to send his/her detailed CV to the email address: modelafricanunionsummit@gmail.com indicating in the subject area of the mail if he or she is applying as a Delegate or Official. The Delegate or will be Official applying must be above 18 years, though we will consider others with an experience in simulations of this kind. Once selected an acceptance letter will be sent to the Delegate or Official stating his/her assigned Committee as well as co-delegate and the various sub themes for their various Committees. This is a highly diplomatic affair and security of Delegates will not be compromised. Various security options will be adequately provided by the Ghana Police Service along with other state agencies to ensure a smooth Summit which will simulate the Executive Council and Summit of the African Union. All delegates from outside Ghana have the option of accommodation but will have to secure their own air ticket and accommodation again upon advice from our Secretariat, we encourage Ghanaian Youth and Africans alike to use this opportunity of the open call for applications to apply now by sending their CV to modelafricanunionsummit@gmail.com indicating in the Subject area if they are applying as Officials or Delegates. This year’s Summit will be held on the 25th of May 2012 at the Accra International Conference Center from 7:00am to 10:00am. Delegates are expected to arrive in Ghana on the 24th of May to enable them take part in this year’s one-day Conference. Activities on the 25th of May include: • Bus Tour of some principal African Union Monuments in Accra escorted by Police • Delegates now Diplomats will now join Ghana’s Diplomats at the Official African Union Day Flag raising Ceremony. • Delegates will now proceed to the Conference Center for both Plenary and Committee Sessions of this year’s Model African Union Summit. And from the 26th to 27th of May will be two day training workshop by Lawrence Muli Advocacy and Communications, African Union Youth Division: • There will be a technical exchange on the AU, its structures and organs, the Model AU week long Summit in November at the AU Headquarters and the AIYCA (Africa Youth Innovation and Creativity Awards) scheduled for November at the AU Headquarters which we from discussions are likely to facilitate. A feat worth mentioning for Ghana. Again, indeed Ghana is likely to host the Official African Union Model African Union Summit next year. Delegates and Officials will take home: A Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Free Refreshment, tools on Democracy, Research Writing skills, Tools on Public Speaking and many other exciting offers all for free. This year’s theme is “ Boosting Intra-Africa trade through Entrepreneurship” We also call on corporate Ghana to support this worthy cause since the Ministry’s Budget cannot in anyway cover the cost of Organizing this Summit, last year we were forced to commit our own resources. Corporate Ghana can call us on 0541888877 or send us a mail at modelafricanunionsummit@gmail.com to enjoy our numerous offers some which include exhibiting at the Foyer of the Conference Center aside interacting with delegates, free adverts on air, amongst others. This is a life changing opportunity and we encourage the Youth of Ghana and Africa alike to apply, we also encourage parents to entreat their wards to apply. We will also like to thank the Government and people of Ghana for giving us the Youth the opportunity to showcase what we can do, after such a successful conference last year, we hope to do same this Year. God Bless Ghana, God Bless Africa and God bless the Youth of this Country Signed: John Armah Convener Model African Union