Africa Regional Girls Guides Association Conference Opens On Monday

[Shola Sholaz]

From August 11 to 17, 2013, Girl Scout and Girl Guide organisations from 31 countries will meet in Nigeria for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) 10th Africa Regional Conference.
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With the theme: "African Young Women: Soaring Towards Excellence," the 96 conference delegates will agree on how to grow Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting in the region to over 860,000 girls and young women, giving more girls in more countries the opportunity to develop their self-esteem, leadership skills and make a difference in their communities on issues such as sustainability, ending violence against girls and gender empowerment and equality.
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Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chair of the African Union Commission will be joining the conference as its keynote speaker. The World Association will also present Dr. Dlamini-Zuma with its 'Women of Outstanding Achievement Award', in recognition of her work as a visionary leader both in Africa and on the international stage.
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As Chair of the African Union she is committed to the full implementation of programmes aimed at the emancipation of women after the AU declared 2010-2020 as the Decade of Women; ensuring health, education and skills development of children and youth in Africa; ensuring Africa's advocacy for a global deal on climate change, and redoubling efforts towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals ahead of the 2015 deadline.