YouLead 2024 advocates for African education fit for the 21st century
09-12-24
The YouLead Africa Summit 2024 ended on a high note, having successfully brought together 300 young leaders from across Africa to discuss the future of Africa’s education. The More Women in Research manifesto was launched on the opening day (see video) and paved the way for intergenerational knowledge sharing.
By Elena Adamo and Vibeke Quaade
Since 2022, Danida Fellowship Centre has supported the summit through its partnership with MS TCDC under the Together for Impact initiative. This year it took place 4 – 7 November under the theme “Igniting the Potential of Africa’s Youthful Population: Reinstating Education as an Eminent Public Good”. Read the final report here
In our article YouLead 2024: Unlocking the Potential of Africa’s Youth, published ahead of the summit, we highlighted three key components of this year’s event that deserved particular attention: the EAC Youth Fellowship for aspiring African leaders, the Empowering Youth to Influence the SDG Implementation programme, and the launch of the More Women in Research manifesto.
YouLead Africa was originally launched in 2017, and this was the eighth summit. We are pleased to report that this year’s initiatives came together successfully. Here are some key insights from this year’s summit:
The EAC Youth Fellowship
Already before the summit officially started, a group of 30 young business and political leaders from eight East African Community (EAC) countries took part in an intensive two-week programme, the EAC Youth Fellowship. The programme had two main tracks, Youth-led Action in Climate Change, Digital, and Green Transitions, and Business and Regional Development exploring regional business protocols, the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA), and business development opportunities across the region.
The business development track
At the summit, participants showcased innovative ideas that addressed regional challenges. For instance, Gordon Victor from Uganda presented a solution for climate-smart farming: solar-powered water irrigation systems. This idea aims to transform the livelihood of vulnerable farmers in Northern Uganda by making farming easier, more sustainable and efficient.
Empowering youth to influence SDG implementation
In June this year, Danida Fellowship Centre hosted a learning programme for 21 youth delegates from nine African countries. Facilitated by Beyond2030, this programme prepared participants to drive sustainable development by providing the tools and networks needed for impactful civic engagement.
We met the delegates again at the YouLead Summit where they contributed their insights and helped identify platforms to amplify youth contributions to the SDGs. An example is how Eunyce Oyule’s developed her action plan that focuses on climate action and feeds into Kenya’s post-summit agenda. Watch the evolution of her action plan before and after the Summit.
The More Women in Research manifesto
The launch of the More Women in Research manifesto on 4 November was another key highlight. Developed by 328 women researchers from across Africa, this manifesto addresses the ongoing underrepresentation of women in academia and research. During three flagship events at the summit, the researchers identified a clear need for intergenerational dialogue, coaching and mentorship. These are crucial for encouraging and supporting women in realizing their full potential, pursuing academic careers and creating knowledge-based solutions. If you want to support the Manifesto, watch Gloria Ceasar´s video.
What happens next? The post-summit agenda
On the summit’s final day, participants co-created a post-summit agenda summing up the key discussion points of the week and setting a roadmap for the plans ahead. These plans are to be implemented in collaboration with the East African Community and other development partners, ensuring that the young leaders remain engaged in shaping their regions.
Here are a couple of examples provided by Reagan Muyinda, regional consortium coordinator for YouLead Africa, to explain how the post-summit agenda works.
- Team Uganda’s plans: Kabasinguzi Mweyongyere outlines Uganda’s next steps to address national priorities identified at the summit. Watch her video here
- Team Kenya’s plans: Eunice Oyule, participant in the Empowering Youth to Influence SDG Implementation programme, focuses on strategies to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and explains how well the different components came together at the Summit. Watch her video here
Keeping up the momentum
The outcomes of the YouLead Summit 2024 go beyond the discussions that took place. The young leaders leave the summit energised and better prepared to tackle key issues such as education reform, sustainable development and regional cooperation, with a strong focus on African-driven solutions.
This eighth edition of YouLead continues the legacy of its patron, Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of Tanzania, and its partners, including the East African Community, ActionAid, the EU under the Global Gateway programme, and Danida Fellowship Centre through the Together for Impact initiative.