Africa’s Future Leaders Unite: Second Annual Africa Children’s Summit to Empower Youth Voices and Rights

By Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni

The upcoming second annual Africa Children’s Summit (ACS), scheduled between the 9th and 12th of August 2024, is poised to shift the discourse around child welfare by centering children as key stakeholders and decision-makers. With a thematic focus on Education, the summit will convene 500 children from over 25 countries across the continent, instilling a sense of empowerment and fostering leadership among Africa’s young generation.

The continent's sustained population growth, standing at around 2.5% annually, underscores the pressing need to prioritise children's rights and well-being. As over half of Africa's population is under the age of 15, granting children agency in shaping their futures becomes not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity across all spheres of governance and decision-making.

ACS to pioneer inclusivity in child welfare policy-making

Following the success of the inaugural summit held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2023, where a child-led steering committee was democratically elected, the ACS 2024 has evolved to embed children's voices within regional mechanisms supporting children's rights and welfare. Endorsed by the African Union, the Africa Children’s Committee, and South Africa’s Department of Social Development, as well as a committee of experts and governmental representatives, the summit signifies a paradigm shift towards inclusive and participatory governance.

Deputy Minister of Social Development Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu has emphasised the imperative of inclusivity, particularly regarding children with disabilities. In collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the African Disability Forum, preparations for the summit have been meticulous, ensuring specialised care and accommodations for all participants, irrespective of their abilities.

Anzio C. Jacobs, spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, echoes the commitment to inclusivity and safeguarding, emphasising the comprehensive measures in place to ensure every child's participation and well-being. By collaborating with government entities and stakeholders, the summit is set to usher in a new era of child-centered policy-making and advocacy.

Chief Executive of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Lindiwe Ncube-Nkomo, stresses the pivotal role of the summit in amplifying youth voices and setting a precedent for youth empowerment across the continent. This sentiment is shared by Tara Hendricks, the summit's first disabled child female leader, who is dedicated to advocating for vulnerable children's rights and experiences at the highest levels of decision-making.

As Africa’s young leaders prepare to convene at the ACS 2024, their collective voices are poised to reverberate across the continent, igniting a new chapter of advocacy, empowerment, and youth-driven change in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable future for all African children.