Pan African Youth Convention

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. This burgeoning youth bulge can either be a ticking time bomb or a gold mine depending on how Africa strategizes to harness this population dividend.  Therefore, it is imperative that the youth are included in decision making and given appropriate opportunities for work, innovate and lead. Neglecting their education, employment, social and political needs will undermine the achievement of the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s SDGs and leaves them vulnerable to crime, radicalization, hopelessness and destitution.

The Pan Africa Youth Convention seeks to contribute to a richer, inclusive and timely discourse on these topical issues and steer an African Rennaissance. This will be guided by discussions and reviews on the challenges, achievements, and future trajectory of the African continent with reference to the SDGs and Agenda 2063 and beyond, in the pursuit of unity, good governance, self-determination, and sustainable development.

Read less

To analyze and enrich the dialogue and actions, the Secretariat has identified the following action categories to enhance the theme;

a. Democracy and Governance

b. Food Security and Climate Change

c. Transformed Economies, Job Creation, and Innovation

d. Women in Leadership

e. Education, Knowledge Management and Culture

We are eager to invite delegates to this timely and worthwhile convention that seeks to steer the African renaissance.

Read less

The Pan African Youth Convention (PAYC) is a five-day conference hosted by the Youth Bridge Kenya, taking place from 8^th to 12^th July 2024 at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi. The convention brings together African and African diaspora notable youth leaders, policymakers, academicians, captains of industry, youth influencers, and women leaders to discuss the youth dividend in Africa, African renaissance, and the place of youth in the actualization of Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s SDGs. The convention is under the theme is “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend of Africa: The Youth Inclusion Factor.”

We are, therefore, excited to call for papers and extended abstracts from academicians, policymakers, and industry experts on a wide range of topics around these five subthemes:

a. Democracy and Governance in Africa

b. Food Security and Climate Change

c. Transformed Economies, Job Creation, and Innovation

d. Women in Leadership

e. Education, Knowledge Management and Culture

While we encourage participants to submit papers on any of the five subthemes, the focus should be on the main theme of the conference synchronized with the objectives of Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. Papers that exemplify academic rigor and meet publication requirements will be published in collaboration with one of the leading Kenya University’s Journal.

Read less

i. Young Exceptional African Awards

This is a distinguished awards category that celebrates the achievements of young exceptional individuals across the African continent. It identifies the contribution of youth leaders at grassroots, community, national and regional levels and honors their significant contributions to the continent’s development and prosperity. The Young Exceptional Awards are a testament to the exemplary standards and achievements within the diverse African landscape. The awards target a wide array of areas ranging from social activists, human rights promoters and defenders, civil society leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and policy makers among others. Through these awards, the African continent recognizes efforts by her young generation is steering sustainable development, good governance and show dedication to Africa’s political and socio-economic advancement, resilience, and adaptability in the face of global challenges.

ii. Young Outstanding African Awards

This award recognizes and celebrates African young leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have made use of the public offices they occupy to cause transformation and usher in shared prosperity and sustainable development. The focus of this award is to highlight outstanding contributions in public service and develop a network of peer role models across the continent for the youth of Africa. The award also aims at encouraging and promoting professionalism, diligence, integrity and selflessness in political and socio-economic activities around the continent with a view to supporting wider efforts to make Africa a better place for this generation and the ones to come.

iii. Iconic Youth Champion Awards

The Iconic Youth Champions Awards recognizes and honors the efforts of eminent personalities in and across the continent who have played a leading role in championing and advancing the meaningful participation and inclusion of the youth in leadership, governance and sustainable development.  The award honors outstanding individuals who have made remarkable contributions through exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Africa. Through their exceptional service they are an inspiration to the young generation across the continent. This award ensures that the African continent continues to benefit from the experience and wisdom of exceptional visionary leaders in Africa and the diaspora who espouse the values that are essential for the Africa renaissance.

Read less