From 12–14 November 2024, the 3rd Intergenerational Dialogue Forum brought together government representatives, youth leaders, and peacebuilding practitioners in a forum hosted by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The event, held in partnership with Save the Children, International IDEA, the Horn of Africa Youth Network, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), and ACCORD, focused on the transformative potential of education to empower young people for meaningful participation in peace and security.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, urged the participants to use their knowledge and potential to transform Africa. He emphasized the catalytic role of youth in creating positive change, not just for themselves but for the continent as a whole.
The dialogue underscored the urgent need to reform Africa’s educational systems to align with the continent’s current economic and political realities. Discussions highlighted the importance of creating a value-based education and addressing inequitable access, which often drives conflict and perpetuates inequalities. Participants also noted the differing impacts of conflict on boys’ and girls’ access to education, emphasizing the importance of designing gender-sensitive strategies.
The forum also highlighted the contributions of youth in post-conflict reconstruction efforts in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. The youth showcased their role in Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) efforts, including Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs.
On the final day, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) presented key recommendations from a policy brief advocating a shift from the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda to a more development-oriented Youth, Peace, and Development (YPD) framework, further emphasizing the interconnected nature of peace, education, and sustainable development.
The three-day intergenerational dialogue underscored the importance of education in empowering youth to drive sustainable peace in the continent. The dialogue aligns with ACCORD’s work in enhancing the role of youth to prevent, mitigate, and resolve complex conflicts.
