Africa – Japan 2nd Youth Drive Holds in Addis Ababa

About 30 years ago, the Japan Government recognized a need for a platform that could facilitate developmental agenda between the Japanese government and African member states. The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) was hatched and has been used to advance this agenda from 1993. During the third-decade anniversary celebration in 2023, a reflection on globalization and the role of youths was discussed and the need to institutionalize youth within TICAD was identified.

Recognizing the need for a youth-led and youth-focused organization to take the lead in championing the unheard voices of young people as next-generation leaders in Africa and Japan, the Africa Diaspora Network in Japan (ADNJ) and Asia Africa Youth Nest (AAYN) are at the forefront of TICAD’s youth institutionalization vision and collaborate with JICA HQ, and UNDP Africa - Ticad Unit in Japan, to formulate a Policy Proposal (Youth Agenda 2055: The Future We Want) with an Action Plan that will set in place mechanisms to promote a more connected, empowered, and proactive co-creation and partnership among young people in Africa and Japan.

The Youth Agenda 2055: The Future We Want is a call to action from African and Japanese youth, urging TICAD stakeholders including the World Bank, African Union member states, UNDP, and the Japan government to participate in realizing a shared vision for the future. As of 2024, ADNJ and AAYN designed a roadmap of a series of in-person, hybrid, and virtual activities to engage young people in Africa and Japan dubbed the ‘TICAD9 Youth Initiative.’ The overall outcome of the TICAD9 Initiative is to establish three frameworks: (i) TICAD Youth Board (ii) TICAD Youth Foundation (iii) TICAD Youth Pre-conference through the adoption of the Youth Agenda 2055: The Future We Want by TICAD stakeholders and annexing in the TICAD9 outcome.

The 2nd Youth Drive, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (23 - 25 Feb) was a part of the TICAD9 Youth Initiative that advanced the co-creation agenda centered on collecting youth voices for the development of the policy proposal and action plan. There were two key ways of engaging the 330 participants:

1. Policy Review & Action Development Sessions
2. The Media Zone

(i) Policy Review & Action Development Sessions

There were 2 Policy Proposal Review and 1 Action Plan Development sessions held that engaged participants in refining the Youth Agenda 2055 and outlining actionable projects for its implementation. The policy review session provided a structured examination of the Youth Agenda 2055 zero draft, ensuring alignment with global frameworks like the SDGs, Agenda 2063, and TICAD. The action plan brainstorming session enabled participants to formulate project ideas, categorized into short-term, medium-term, and long-term initiatives, with a focus on leveraging multilateral partnerships and engaging diverse stakeholders.
Collectively, the outcome of these sessions will be used to revise and strengthen the Youth Agenda 2055, ensuring it is both policy-driven and impact-oriented for sustainable youth development.

(ii) The Marketplace - Exhibit Booth for the Africa-Japan 2nd Youth Drive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For the three days, 23 - 25 of February 2025, ADNJ & AAYN representatives, David Kpondehou, Terry Otieno, & Yasumiba Yuki engaged participants in one-on-one conversations and Q&A sessions at the marketplace exhibit booth. This was an interactive space that allowed participants to learn about the TICAD9 Youth Initiative and its vision of co-creation between African and Japanese youth. The 2024 Annual activity booklets showcased action-driven, thought provoking initiatives led by young people from Africa and Japan, which inspired the conference participants to express interest to support the TICAD9 initiatives. The marketplace served as a vital platform to highlight youth-led initiatives while also doubling as a membership drive.

Innovation was at the forefront, the QR codes the participants scanned linked them to the TICAD9 social media platforms, enabling them to stay connected and informed. A standout feature of the exhibit was a media banner displaying 40+ logos of organizations committed to supporting the TICAD9 Youth Initiative. This banner became a photo booth, drawing participants to capture and share moments across social media—further amplifying the visibility of the TICAD9 Youth Initiative. The space also fostered networking opportunities, where young people exchanged contacts, built connections, and engaged in meaningful discussions. These exchanges contributed to the substantive submissions for the Action Plan Zero Draft, a key outcome of the 2nd Youth Drive.

The marketplace exhibit had a profound engagement impact that not only elevated the visibility and accessibility of TICAD9 Youth Initiatives but now has assured a stronger, more inclusive youth movement for the TICAD9 Youth Initiative.

Way Forward

The TICAD9 Youth Initiative will continue to engage young people across the globe in varied ways. Follow the social media handles to stay updated. There are many more activities coming up including the TICAD9 Youth Pre-conference that will be held in Yokohama, Japan in August 2025. We are looking for partners to engage and if you are an organization or individual who wishes to support the initiative, we welcome you. Please send an email to info@adnjapan.org