Access to basic education for African young people is a right and must therefore be guaranteed, stressed speakers at International Day of African Youth (IDAY), which was celebrated on Thursday at the European Parliament. The role of African diasporas in this context was the focus of debate between MEPs and their guests. IDAY, which was officially sponsored by EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering, is part of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

EP Vice-President Luisa Morgantini (GUE/NGL, IT), who chaired the event on the 12st June 2008, said: "The second Millennium Development Goal will not be achieved without true political determination from the international community and a serious commitment by African governments. We must demonstrate that we have learnt the lesson from the two Guinean teenage stowaways who froze to death on a Sabena flight from Conakry to Brussels and who left a moving letter saying 'we want to study'."
 
For his part, President Pöttering said: "Investing in education is the key to securing a better future for Africa. We must give African youth hope to escape from the poverty traps that have hampered the development of the continent. Europe must strengthen its partnership with Africa to help it achieve this goal."
 
The purpose of IDAY is to raise awareness among the public and the authorities of the need to guarantee basic education to all African young people by 2015, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals.