Today, the amitious and inspiring Caravane project launched its 50 day journey across West Africa. The launch was started in its first country of operation, Niamey – Niger and will greet thousands of young people on its journey. The event was held at the Palais des Congress (Congress Palace Niger) in the Presence of the Minister of Transport Niger, The Minister of Youth Niger and the Governor of Niger.
Our Coordinator of the African Region (Francophone Countries) in the YOURS CORE Group who is also President of the Niger Youth Council, Mr Aliou Oumarou hands over the African Youth Declaration for Road Safety to the Minister of Transport in Niger, M. IBRAHIM YACOUBA.
Director of YOURS – Youth for Road Safety Mr Floor Lieshout delivered a speech to the press conference launching the Caravane and its content is here below:
Your excellencies, distinguished guests, my fellow youth delegates, friends.
Today, we are witnessing a historic occasion that marks significant action for road safety in West Africa. I am proud of the collaboration between West Africa and Europe and may we continue our fruitful partnership for our noble cause. I am absolutely honored and privileged to be here in Niger. Firstly, I must thank our YOURS Coordinator for the francophone countries in the African Region, Mr. Aliou Oumarou for his continuous efforts to reduce road traffic injuries in his country; for championing youth and road safety issues all throughout Africa and being a true global ambassador for road safety.
Secondly I thank our European coordinator Mr. Axl Druart who, in collaboration with the UEMOA took the idea of the Caravane project, this vibrant, ambitious and groundbreaking project into a reality with the strong support of the European Commission. The Caravane will begin its journey today. It will begin its 50 day trip and greet thousands of young people in Niger, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cote dÍvoir, Mali and Senegal. The Caravane advocates for road safety and will also help to create young people who are aware of road safety throughout these countries. Beyond the 50 days, the Caravane project will leave a lasting legacy of concrete road safety action in Africa and show that Africa and Europe work together, hand in hand, to save lives on our roads and help lift some of the burden of road crashes in Africa.
Road traffic injuries are the biggest cause of death for young people. It kills more young people than HIV, Malaria and TBC. The road fatality rate per 100.000 population is for the African region 32.2, while the world average is 18.8 fatalities. Road users most likely to be involved in a road crash are pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, and passengers. Road crashes cost US$ 65 billion in low and middle-income countries, exceeding the total amount received in development assistance. This is unacceptable.
Yesterday, our delegation of youth and road safety organizations from seven countries adopted the African Youth Declaration for Road Safety. This declaration is a statement from African youth, they no longer want to see their friends, loved ones and family die because of road crashes. They no longer want to risk their lives every time they have to travel to work, to school, or to visit friends. They no longer want to see families plunged into poverty because the breadwinner is disabled by a road crash.
This declaration urges action, in line with the Decade of Action for Road Safety. It calls upon African decision makers to create a safe road environment. 1) We urge you to create in collaboration with all stakeholders, a national plan for road safety that put people first and have a lead agency responsible for its implementation. 2) We ask you to create a safe infrastructure; invest in safe footpaths, cycle-ways and crossing points especially around schools. 3) To engage and involve young people in road safety and invest in youth non-governmental organizations for road safety awareness programs among their peers. 4) In addition we call upon decision makers who have the power to save young African lives to enforce road traffic laws on the use of seatbelts and helmets, set speed limits, distracted driving and a zero tolerance for impaired driving.
Your excellencies, distinguished guests, we are obliged to change this alarming statistic. Road crashes remain the biggest killer of young people in Africa and the world. Today, the Caravane will work to challenge this statistic. We wholeheartedly endorse its mission.
Together, we can make our road safer. Together we are powerful partners for road safety, youth and experienced generation. Together, we will make roads safe.
Thank you for your time.
A video of the speech and the launch will be available shortly.