Regional Workshop to validate the SADC Youth, Peace and Security Strategy

Image Credit: ACCORD

Working to develop strategies to strengthen the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in Southern Africa.

ACCORD, in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA), organised a Regional Validation Workshop for the SADC Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Strategy, from 02-04 September 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. 

This workshop convened representatives from the Ministries of Youth, Foreign Affairs and Civil Society to exchange lessons and experiences on the development of a YPS agenda within their respective countries. Representatives from the SADC Secretariat together with the African Union Ambassador for Peace, Southern Africa Region presented on the various YPS Frameworks to create awareness that promotes the implementation of youth in decision making and peace processes. 

Image Credit: ACCORD

The regional mapping exercise also provided a good understanding and increased the awareness on the status of YPS efforts in the various countries. Participants were able to share challenges and progress in the area, noting that while there is no specific YPS agenda at the national level; there are efforts embedded within the various ministries that implement youth focused initiatives. 

A key focus of the workshop included the process to validate the SADC Strategy for the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in the Southern Africa region. The draft underwent an intensive review process at the workshop, with participants providing valuable inputs and recommendations to strengthen the document that will advocate for and promote a YPS Agenda in the region. Participants were also able to identify key issues affecting youth such as unemployment, low levels of technical skills in peacebuilding and exclusion from decision-making processes that need to be taken into consideration, particularly in peaceful, yet vulnerable societies. An outcome of this review process is that it brought about awareness of SADC’s efforts in response to youth; and it enabled ownership of the document among member states.

At the conclusion of the workshop, a plan of action was put into place to revise the document so that it speaks better to the context of the region. A follow up process will take place to finalise the validation of the Strategy. ACCORD and SADC will continue its collaborative efforts to support the process to develop frameworks to guide the region in its peace and security initiatives.

Article by:

Marisha-Ramdeen
Marisha Ramdeen
Coordinator: Programmes
TRANSLATE THIS PAGE