The prosperity of humanity and the health of the planet depend on how we take advantage of demographic change across the world and the transition of young people to adulthood. As the number of young people, already very large, continues to grow around the world, it is clear that only by collaborating and working with them, helping them to defend their rights and creating the conditions for enable them to progress and play an active role, that the international community will be able to guarantee peace, security, justice, resilience to climate change and sustainable development for all.
The Symposium is part of the United Nations initiative to make the year 2024, a year of dialogue and mediation to resolve socio-political crises, an international initiative, a special multilateral project for the Organization of Nations United Nations, led by young leaders to focus their efforts on achieving the SDGs, in collaboration with the United Nations system, the international community, civil society, the private sector, academia and governments.
This International Symposium of Young African and Diaspora Leaders on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) will serve as a high-level discussion framework for African youth intended to guide all the debates and ideals of the African youth and especially from the West and Center to raise their voice to the United Nations system, the member states of ECOWAS and CEMAC, the African Union, the AES and all of the international community, by leading them to focus their work on young people and to collaborate more with them in the search for Positive Peace through an inclusive dialogue for the benefit of African youth as prescribed in the UN Agenda 2023 for youth.
It also seeks to make its contribution to mobilizing young people in the face of socio-political crises in the West and Central sub-region of Africa in order to take into account their opinions, their concerns, their observations and their ingenious ideas. to their greater participation in a democratic world and the rule of law.
Finally, it seeks to ensure that work to achieve the SDGs relating to youth is coordinated, coherent and comprehensive in the consolidation of peace and development in Africa.
Recognizing the rights of young people, the international community and African institutions such as the AU, ECOWAS, CEMAC, UEMOA encourage and facilitate the application of the principles of transparency, accountability and responsiveness, which holders of obligations towards young people are required to respect.
This international meeting of young leaders on the contribution of African youth to the search for positive peace in Africa is part of an approach that is respectful, practical and concerned about human rights and the evolution of relationships between youth.
Placed under the undisputed leadership of young African leaders from the diaspora and its CEO, the panel of senior personalities is led by special personalities; academics and young executive leaders invited.
This Symposium is also part of the implementation of Axis 3 (Involvement of young African leaders in peace and development processes - Engaging young people in the Africa region in the process of consolidating peace and sustainable development and the promotion of the rule of rights) of our 2023-2028 Strategic Program for positive peace in Africa and will focus in particular on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 (SDGs) which are:
And will contribute to UN Resolutions 2250 of 2015: “young people should take an active part in establishing lasting peace and working towards justice and reconciliation, and that the demographic importance of today's youth is a asset that can contribute to lasting peace and economic prosperity..."
The event will be divided into five distinct sections:
Speeches from special guests.
SECTION 1: Challenges of socio-political stability and peace in West and Central Africa
SECTION 2: Sovereignty challenges
Adoption of the declaration of the Symposium of Young African and Diaspora Leaders
Designation and official handing over of the torch for the organization of the 1st Pan-African forum of Young African Leaders and the Diaspora on Peace, Security and Living Together which will be held in Africa 2025
Closing speech
