From 03 – 06 March 2025, ACCORD was invited to participate in the Youth, Peace and Security Capacity Building Workshop in Gaborone, Botswana. The activity was jointly convened by the African Youth Ambassador for Peace for the Southern African Region, Ms Mpule Kgetsi, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Women Lead Africa, the African Union (AU) and the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung African Union Country Office Ethiopia/AU Liaison (KAS). ACCORD formed part of a panel discussion on “The Role of YPS Stakeholders in Developing and Implementing National Action Plans”, and reflected on the role of civil society organisations in the development of National Action Plans and some of the initiatives which the organisation has been part of which sought to promote the YPS Agenda.
The three-day workshop focussed on equipping youth stakeholders from Southern Africa with the relevant knowledge and skills to actively and meaningfully engage in the development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) in their respective countries. Representatives from regional and continental organisations provided analysis and feedback on the role of youth in peace and security and development of NAPs in Southern Africa. For example, the AU provided an overview of the youth, peace and security landscape in Africa and looked into the Continental Framework for Youth, Peace and Security and UNSC Resolution 2250 as key guiding tools for the development of NAPs. Additionally, SADC reflected on the development of its Regional Strategy for Youth, Peace and Security and its role in the promotion of the YPS Agenda.
Overall, the workshop achieved remarkable success, providing a platform for youth to critically engage with and reflect on the Youth, Peace, and Security landscape across the continent and the development of National Action Plans in their respective countries. By sharing experiences and insights from countries that have already developed NAPs, participants gained valuable knowledge. Importantly, the activity underscored the importance of investing in and empowering youth as key agents of peace in the region.
The workshop will be followed by regular check-ins and feedback forums to maintain engagement, amplify the voices of youth stakeholders in their respective countries, and drive lasting change in peace and security efforts.
