Kikwete meets former Finnish president
 
2005-10-07 07:20:07
By Judica Tarimo

	CCM presidential candidate, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

CCM presidential candidate, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete yesterday held talks with the former Finnish President, Marttil Ahtisaari to brainstorm on the possible ways to create new youths employment opportunities.

Youth employment was the main agenda being pushed by the ruling party aspirant ahead of the third, democratic and multi-party elections slated for end month.

’We touched on youth empowerment…I am happy to notice that Antisaari is also involved in youth affairs,’ Kikwete told reporters in Dar es Salaam shortly after the talks.

Currently, the former Finnish leader serves as the Chairman of a US-based Global Action Council of the International Youth Foundation.

The foundation deals with youth issues—empowerment, employment, and training youth on social and economic affairs, among other things.

’The foundation provides skills and knowledge to the youth to engage in self-employment and face difficulties in life,’ said Kikwete.

Kikwete said they discussed and agreed on collaborative strategies to help youth out of unemployment.

The foundation supported a total 150,000 youths in Tanzania, he said.

’We will work hand in hand as partners to make sure that Tanzanian youth are empowered. The focus is to make youth employable,’ said Kikwete.

The ruling candidate said youth unemployment was a big problem, which needed to be resolved.

’The number of unemployed youths is increasing every year,’ said Kikwete.

’We must find a lasting solution,’ he said.

• SOURCE: Guardian