The third edition of the youth, peace and security in Africa dialogue organized by the African Union to empower youths for peace has opened in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The dialogue running under the theme, ‘Empowering African Youth for Peace: Education and Enhanced Coordination as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the YPS Agenda’ is behing at the at the Kiriri Presidential Palace .
With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the youth are a critical force for shaping Africa’s future.
However, the continent still faces challenges in peace and security, including armed conflicts, political instability, and the rise of extremist groups, which disproportionately impact youth, women, and other vulnerable populations.
The two day dialogue in Bujumbura has brought together key stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, and explore strategies for mainstreaming peace education in school curriculums and mobilizing resources for YPS initiatives.
Over 1,200 participants, including policymakers, young leaders, and representatives of international institutions will be discussing challenges and opportunities in implementing youth, peace and security agenda and how to strengthen collaboration between the African Union, regional economic communities and youth focused organisations.
The dialogue has been organized into two main sessions: the first focusing on the broader landscape of youth, peace, and security in Africa, and the second dedicated to the integration of peace education in African schools.
Panels include discussions on the implementation of the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda, the role of the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), and strategies to mobilize resources for youth-led peace-building initiatives.
On the final day today, participants will engage in a high-level discussion on how to mainstream peace education in school curricula and assess the progress of peace education programs across member states.
This session will feature experts from UNESCO and the AU, as well as youth leaders who have been active in promoting peace education.
The African Union has partnered with the government of Burundi to fund the event, with extra support from various international partners.
The discussions will coincide with the 4th edition of Innovation Week, which ran from December 9 to 11, 2024, with a focus on youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
