2.2 Major Continental and International Developments As countries worldwide recognized the increasing high numbers of youth as victims of poverty, unemployment and disease the issues were prioritised on the agenda of regional, continental and international bodies for discussion and action. According to the United Nations observation, ‘young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of major societal changes and are generally confronted by a paradox: to seek to be integrated into an existing order or to serve as a force to transform that order.’ In this regard, Zimbabwe’s National Youth Policy has received contributions from three processes - the African Youth Charter (AYC) which was developed under the auspices of the African Union, , The World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY) developed by the United Nations, and the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in Zimbabwe. 2.3 The National Youth Policy Review Process The review of the National Youth Policy was led by the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment and received contributions from a broad sector of Zimbabweans. Extensive consultations were held with youth organisations, sectoral groups as well as young women and men themselves. In addition, the Zimbabwe Youth Council embarked on an extensive youth awareness and consultative process involving regional consultative meetings as well as launching electronic media programmes. Through these programmes and the participation of these groups in the policy formulation process, the National Youth Policy has been designed to address the major needs, challenges and opportunities of young men and women, accommodating provincial variations and specific sectoral issues. 2.4 Definition of Youth In Zimbabwe, youth are defined as persons between 15 and 35 years of age. This age range is stipulated in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and is also in line with the continental definition of youth as defined in the African Youth Charter (15 to 35). 5