On August 12, 2026, over 100 young political and civic leaders from across Africa gathered for a two-hour hybrid celebration of International Youth Day under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
Hosted by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development and the Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa), in collaboration with the African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress (ADAFP), the event was broadcast live from the Democracy Innovation Hub in Monrovia, Liberia. More than 100 participants joined online, while 12 attended in person.
Opening the program, Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote and Secretary-General of ADAFP, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young Africans to connect, exchange experiences, and actively shape the continent’s future.
Hon. Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Deputy President of Build One South Africa and Member of the South African Parliament, offered practical insights on youth representation and leadership in democratic institutions. She challenged participants to recognize their power and responsibility:
“Nobody is coming to save you but you. You have so much power and resources at your disposal. I encourage you to leverage that power to change our continent.”
Alphia Faith Kemokai, Manager of YPLS Africa and Global Democracy Fellow, shared lessons from her work with emerging political and civic leaders across the continent, while YPLS Africa alumna Kadiatu Koroma spoke on “Values That Count Across Different Contexts: Leading Toward Our Common Aspirations.”
Special Guest Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, Judge of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and former vice-presidential candidate of Liberia, encouraged participants to translate their aspirations into purposeful leadership, integrity, civic responsibility, and practical action. She declared:
“To every young person who boards a boat, gets on an airplane to another country, or crosses boundaries, there is a verdict on my leadership and on your leadership. Your charge is to make staying in Africa an act of opportunity, not an act of sacrifice.”
Moderated by Cameroonian media practitioner and YPLS Africa alumna Njix Sharon Nabeseh, the discussion examined the diverse political, social, and economic realities confronting young Africans. Participants identified the aspirations that unite them with dignity, opportunity, inclusion, economic security, accountable leadership, and meaningful participation in shaping their countries and continent.
The event also strengthened engagement with the emerging Continental Young Forum of Political Parties, a platform created to unit young members of political parties across Africa, an initiative of ADAFP and YPLS Africa that connects young political leaders across national, institutional, and partisan boundaries.
Through interactive discussions, participants exchanged experiences, raised questions, and explored opportunities for cross-border learning, networking, and collaboration.
The celebration reaffirmed a clear message: Africa’s young people may live in different contexts, but they share common aspirations and a collective responsibility to shape the continent’s future.
Different Contexts. Common Aspirations. One Generation. One Africa.
