In a landmark move to amplify youth participation in regional and developmental processes , the Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) on the sidelines of the 57th SADC PF Plenary Assembly in Victoria Falls. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering inclusive governance, effective youth inclusion, enhancing parliamentary effectiveness, and driving sustainable development across the Southern African region. The joint programing on leadership development, civic education, and legislative advocacy, youth participation in policy will not only empower youth as active contributors, not just beneficiaries of regional progress, but active players in regional development.
The signing ceremony will also include MoUs with key organizations such as Oxfam, the Election Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) among others. Highlighting a multisectoral approach to advancing governance and development. This alliance comes at a critical time as the SADC region confronts pressing challenges, including youth unemployment, climate change, and governance reforms. As noted by Her Excellency the Secretary General of SADC-PF who is also the Patron of SAYoF and the Southern Africa Youth Parliament, “the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) remains committed to strengthening inter-institutional collaboration that enhances democratic governance, parliamentary effectiveness, and citizen responsiveness across the region.”
During the Official opening of the 57th Plenary Assembly currently ongoing in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, the representative of SAYoF Honourable Angela Dube, the current Miss Albinism Zimbabwe who represents Persons with Disability in the Southern Africa Youth Parliament noted that, “Our partnership with the SADC PF has been pivotal in amplifying youth participation across various platforms. SADC PF has further supported joint efforts with young people to co-create innovative solutions to the pressing challenges we face. We partnered in SADC-PF public Hearings, SADC Youth Parliament hosting and the annual Youth Forum. Together, we have hosted impactful campaigns, facilitated intergenerational dialogues, and issued joint statements to commemorate International Youth Day each year. We are also collaborating to establish a Youth Academy, envisioned as a premier capacity-building institution for emerging leaders across the SADC region. In a show of confidence in young people, the SADC PF is engaging young digital experts to train women parliamentarians on leveraging digital tools and social media to increase women’s participation in politics. We have also mobilised ourselves as young people to support SADC PF’s visibility, particularly through social media and digital platforms.”
Both organizations are looking forward to the positive impact of this partnership and are committed to working together to implement the objectives outlined in the MOU.
