Accra, Jan.13, GNA - High-ranking political figures and youth leaders from 18 African countries and Germany, are in Accra to attend a two-day conference on German-Africa Partnership currently underway at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Centre in Accra.

The conference under the theme, "Two Generations one Future" is to address the major challenges confronting humanity in general and Africans in particular.

President John Agyekum Kufuor and German Federal President Horst Kohler, are jointly hosting the conference. "Partnership with Africa" is an initiative of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany in cooperation with the ZEIT Foundation, the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) and the Agency of Market Oriented Projects (AgenZ) of GTZ.

The conference, the first to be held in Africa would give the young leaders an opportunity to join Presidents Kufuor and Kohler, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia, Festus G. Mogae of Botswana, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin, Alpha Oumar Konare from the African Union, Mohammed Ibn Chambas from ECOWAS as well as other representatives from political 0and civil society in Africa and Germany to discuss what partnership between African countries and Germany.

Discussions for the next two days will focus on job-creation and employment opportunities for the youth in Germany and Africa, the issue of child soldiers in armed conflict, participation of the youth in decision making, as well as preservation of the environment. "With this approach, we will find innovative ideas to address the concerns of European and African youth from diverse backgrounds and foster greater understanding among them" President Kufuor said in his opening address. "This way, the forum, would have contributed to bridging the ethnic, religious, cultural, gender and other social divides between the youth" he added.

The 50 young leaders selected from 400 candidates from Africa and Germany actively involved in shaping social change, will present their ideas to the high-ranking delegates, who would respond to the approaches put forward. The conference is intended to trigger a debate that will ultimately produce joint insights and possible solutions.