Johannesburg, South Africa – Hassan Ghazaly, an Egyptian member of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Point Committee and Founder of the Global Solidarity Network, formally presented the outcomes of the 5th African Youth Symposium to Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero and APRM Chairperson Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Vilakazi, marking the conclusion of the landmark event.
The two-day Symposium, held at the Pan-African Parliament under the theme "Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity," brought together leading African and international figures for in-depth discussions on youth participation in governance and development.
Key attendees included H.E. Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament; Hon. Laila Daahi, Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Youth; Ahmed Bennegh, Secretary-General of the African Youth Union; Dr. Sunshine Monihenh Leimenh, Chairperson of South Africa’s National Youth Development Agency; and Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, among others.
The Symposium adopted an action-oriented, participatory approach, featuring academic and political roundtables, youth-led success stories, innovation showcases, and direct engagement with African Union officials and decision-makers. A dedicated exhibition highlighted youth initiatives across the continent.
Central to the event were working group discussions across five pillars:
Peace and Security in Africa: Exploring the role of youth in peacebuilding and early warning mechanisms.
Generation Z and Governance Participation: Examining digital governance innovations and youth-centric institutional reforms.
Development and Employment: Addressing inclusive economic policies for entrepreneurship and job creation.
Re-evaluating AU Youth Development: Reviewing the African Youth Charter and aligning youth policies with AU Agenda 2063.
Amplifying African Youth and Restorative Justice: Discussing reparations, colonial legacy, and strategies for economic justice.
In his closing remarks, Ghazaly emphasized that African youth are determined to move "From Promise to Prosperity" through accountable and transparent governance.
He called for a review of the African Youth Charter, coinciding with its 20th anniversary, and urged AU leaders to act urgently to protect civilians and restore peace in conflict-affected regions including Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel.
Highlighting economic and social concerns, Ghazaly stressed the need to address youth unemployment, education-to-employment gaps, and related social issues such as drug abuse and mental health challenges.
He urged governments to adopt comprehensive employment policies, support entrepreneurship, strengthen national youth development agencies, and promote industrialization through science and technology.
He also advocated for operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), as well as implementing gender-responsive budgets to ensure women’s full participation in development.
Ghazaly concluded with a call for collective action, stating, "Prosperity is not a gift to be granted, but is built through collective effort, visionary leadership, and accountable governance. This is the renewed pledge of the delegates of the 5th APRM Youth Symposium, striving for a more peaceful, prosperous, and unified African continent."
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