Published: 11 Mar 2025 238 views
The African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) is proud to introduce the Kenneth Kaunda Youth ECOSOCC Graduate Programme, a prestigious initiative Economic Social & Cultural Council P.O.Box 50295, Plot 8658, Kudu Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka, Zambia T: +260 (0) 211 429 405 W: ecosocc.au.int dedicated to shaping the next generation of Zambian leaders. Named in honor of Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s founding president, and a pioneer of Pan-Africanism, this programme embodies his legacy of unity, self-determination, and youth empowerment while focusing on building the capacity of young professionals to contribute meaningfully to national and continental development.
This initiative provides recent Zambian graduates with hands-on experience in policy development and program implementation within an intergovernmental and multilateral context, familiarizing them with the day-to-day operations of an African Union organ. Through direct engagement in ECOSOCC’s programmatic and non-programmatic functions, participants will enhance their professional competencies, develop leadership potential, and gain a deeper understanding of regional integration, continental development, and the African Union, while ensuring meaningful participation in these processes.
Designed to bridge the gap between academic training and real-world professional practice, the programme is aimed at high-performing recent graduates who aspire to contribute to Africa’s socioeconomic transformation. It further serves as a strategic pipeline for talent acquisition within AU institutions and affiliated organizations, ensuring that emerging professionals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of international diplomacy and governance.
As a key component of the ECOSOCC University Outreach Initiative, the programme partners with universities and research institutions in Zambia to maintain a flow of highly skilled candidates while fostering a long-term network of young professionals through alumni engagement. By embedding Pan-African values and reinforcing participatory governance, the ECOSOCC Kenneth Kaunda Graduate Immersion Programme aim to promote youth employability and prepare future leaders to champion the African Union’s vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent.
The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). The main objectives of the OAU were to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonisation and apartheid; to promote unity and solidarity amongst African States; to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development; to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States and to promote international cooperation... read more... continue reading
| Application Deadline | 16 Mar 2025 |
| Type | Internship |
| Sponsor | African Union |
| Gender | Men and Women |
As a youth-focused programme, eligible candidates must meet the youth status criteria outlined by the African Union, specifically, be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
Additional requirements include:
Interested candidates must submit the following documents as part of their application:
For more details, visit ECOSOCC webpage
