The African Union (AU) has launched the 2024 Pan African Youth Forum today in Oran, Algeria, as part of its annual Africa Youth Day celebrations. The forum, themed “1 Million Next Level is Knocking: Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” will run from November 1st to 4th. It aims to empower young Africans with essential skills, foster youth leadership, and promote sustainable development across the continent. The event draws youth aged 18-35, including young leaders, activists, students, innovators, and policymakers.
The forum’s objectives are ambitious, seeking to celebrate young Africans’ contributions toward building a prosperous and peaceful continent. Participants are encouraged to engage in reimagining the African Youth Charter, addressing today’s challenges, and setting a shared vision on this year’s theme. Other goals include promoting youth-driven solutions across African states, building capacity in education, employment, and entrepreneurship, and providing networking opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The Pan African Youth Forum features a rich array of activities designed to engage and empower young Africans. These include high-level panels and plenary sessions, marketplace and cultural events, thematic breakout sessions and masterclasses, career fairs and networking, and touristic and eco-friendly activities.
The AU anticipates several important outcomes from the forum, including adoption of the 2024 African Youth Forum Declaration, Launch of Key Initiatives, – these include the AYC@20: Reflect, Reimagine, Revitalise Campaign, the 1 Million Next Level Scorecard, and the official launch of 1MNLin Algeria, Capacity-Building and Networking, and Sustainable Empowerment Models.
The AU has committed to ensuring that this year’s Pan African Youth Forum prioritizes sustainability. Measures include eco-friendly event management practices, digital tools to reduce environmental impact, and green transportation options for participants. Post-forum, the AU plans to establish partnerships with local and regional organizations to support ongoing youth empowerment and policy advocacy efforts.
This year’s Youth forum emphasizes the African Union’s belief that Africa’s youth are key to a sustainable, prosperous future. By fostering inclusive, relevant education and leadership skills, the AU hopes to equip the next generation of Africans with the tools needed to build a brighter, more resilient continent.
