The Forum is jointly convened by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) and Reform Initiatives, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, in collaboration with the AU-ECOSOCC Sierra Leone National Chapter, Advocacy Movement Network (AMNet), Concern Human Movement, and other national and youth partners.

 

Held under the theme “Gen Z, Political Transitions and the Future of Governance in Africa: From Youth Mobilisation to Institutional Influence,” the Forum will bring together approximately 150 participants, including young civic actors, youth-led organisations, student and university networks, civil society representatives, policymakers, government institutions, digital innovators, entrepreneurs, development partners and other governance stakeholders. 

 

The Dialogue will provide a platform for meaningful intergenerational engagement on the future of democratic governance in Sierra Leone, with particular attention to youth participation in policymaking, institutional accountability, political transitions, digital democracy, artificial intelligence, civic mobilisation, peacebuilding and economic opportunities. Importantly, the Forum seeks to move beyond conventional consultations by identifying practical youth-led recommendations and mechanisms for sustained engagement between young people and public institutions. 

 

The discussions will also explore how the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the African Youth Charter, and national youth-policy frameworks can better strengthen youth participation and institutional responsiveness. We are open to meet with particularly young civil society leaders, Gen Z activists, young women leaders, community organisers, youth advocates, and representatives of youth-led initiatives as their experiences and perspectives are central to the discussions.