*Panel 4:* Sustainable Strategies and Solutions to Ensure Youth Inclusivity for Stability in Africa.
•Panel Focus: Identifying sustainable strategies to institutionalise meaningful youth participation and empowering young people as partners in governance and peacebuilding in Africa.
•Youth Inclusion in Governance: Leaders should recognise young people as partners in governance, development, and peacebuilding, beyond viewing them as beneficiaries or security concerns.
•Implementation of Existing Frameworks: Accelerating the implementation of existing African Union frameworks, such as the African Youth Charter and Agenda 2063, is crucial for addressing governance and security challenges.
•Addressing Socio-Economic Drivers of Instability: Governments should increase investments in education, improve youth employment, entrepreneurship, and skills development to address youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities, which are drivers of instability.
•Youth Empowerment: Importance of leadership development, civic education, mentorship, and intergenerational dialogue for youth empowerment.
•Monitoring and Implementation: Stronger monitoring of youth inclusion, implementation of the African Youth Charter, and coordination among AU institutions are crucial.
•Civic Education and Leadership Development: Member States should prioritise civic education and leadership development programs to promote democratic values and intergenerational collaboration.
•Digital Innovation for Governance: Leverage AI and digital technologies to enhance citizen participation, improve public service delivery, and strengthen democratic engagement.
•Governance Intelligence and Decision-Making: Establish Governance Intelligence Laboratories and strengthen data systems to anticipate governance risks and inform timely preventive action.
•Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Strengthen collaboration among AU, Member States, civil society, private sector, academia, and development partners to promote youth inclusion and democratic governance.
Panel composition:
- Arthur Mukuri moderated the session.
- Lead Speaker: Patrick Kumi – AU Youth Ambassador for Peace (East Africa)
Discussants:
•Arif Abdjalil Moussa, Former AU Youth Ambassador for Peace
•Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Second Vice-President, Pan-African Parliament
•Samson Itodo, Chair, AU Advisory Group on Governance, Peace and Security
•Hon. Mary Catherine Nkosi, FEMWISE