06 May 2026, Madagascar.

Salutations!

SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General, H.E. Boemo Sekgoma—also our Patron.   

Advocate Sheuneni Kurasha;The SADC-PF Director of Parliamentary Business & Programmes — and also the Chief Mentor for SAYoF and the Youth Parliament;

Distinguished representatives from the SAYoF Board, members of the Southern Africa Youth Parliament. Y-ACT representatives; members of the SAYoF Secretariat;
distinguished young people from across the region, and all stakeholders present today—good afternoon.

It is an honour and a pleasure to welcome you all to this important SADC Model Law Process training themed: “Young People and Regional Policy Influence: Leveraging the SADC Model Law Process for Meaningful Participation.”

Today, we gather with a shared purpose—one that goes beyond the walls of this room. We gather because we believe that policy cannot be truly meaningful unless it reflects the voices and lived realities of those it is meant to serve—especially young people.  This gathering is brought together by SAYoF, Y-ACT (AMREF), and with support from the SADC Parliamentary Forum, and includes members of the Southern Africa Youth Parliament, SAYoF Regional Board, students, young people from across the region, and other stakeholders.

The training is grounded in a shared belief that policy cannot be truly meaningful unless it reflects the voices and lived realities of those it is meant to serve—especially young people.  Young people across the region face real and urgent challenges such as unemployment, limited access to quality education and skills, limited civic space, barriers to entrepreneurship, youth health needs, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. Too often, young people are invited only after key decisions have already been made, creating a gap between policymakers and youth experiences. This is why youth participation is essential: young people should not only observe the process, but should be able to understand it, identify entry points, advocate for needed changes, and help ensure that final laws respond to community needs.

Meaningful participation goes beyond merely attending meetings—it requires understanding how policy and legislation move from regional frameworks to national action, engaging with evidence and feasibility, building alliances with decision-makers, and presenting youth concerns clearly and constructively with practical solutions. Young participants are encouraged to treat this training as their moment, recognising that they are not only future leaders but present leaders whose voices can help shape laws and policies that determine opportunities, resource allocation, and rights.

Gratitude is expressed to H.E. Boemo Sekgoma for making sure young people have a place at the table, Advocate Sheuneni Kurasha, our facilitator, the SADC Parliamentary Forum leadership, the SAYoF Board, and Y-ACT (AMREF) for their support and mentorship in advancing youth-centred participation in regional policy and parliamentary processes.

On behalf of SAYoF, I am urging everyone to approach the training with seriousness, openness, and enthusiasm, so that participants leave with practical tools to influence policy outcomes not only today, but for the long term.

Thank you, Merci !