The African Union (AU) WiseYouth Network convened the first African Youth Consultation on Mediation, Preventive Diplomacy and Peace Processes from 30th September to 02nd October 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda. The consultation created a vital platform for amplifying youth voices and fostering a more inclusive approach to conflict resolution across Africa. This included strategic advocacy, capacity building and networking, with the aim of ultimately achieving youth inclusion in the realisation of peace and security. The first African Youth Consultation brought together members of the WiseYouth Network, young mediators, as well as emerging leaders in the mediation, preventative diplomacy and peace processes space.
The consultation convened sessions that enabled participants to assess and reflect on the level of youth engagement in mediation, preventative diplomacy and peace processes in Africa, as well as ongoing engagements by the WiseYouth Network. Young mediators, policy makers and key stakeholders shared best practices and identified imminent challenges in youth participation as well as possible challenges in conflict prevention, mediation, dialogue and peace processes. The sessions concluded with pertinent discussions on strategic plans and policy recommendations on how to best streamline and upscale the role of the youth in Africa in Mediation, Preventative Diplomacy and Peace processes.
ACCORD through the Training for Peace (TfP) Program supports the efforts of the WiseYouth Network to enhance the role of youth in mediation, preventative diplomacy and peace processes. This initiative closely aligns with ACCORD’s strategic objective towards enhancing the role of the youth in preventing, mitigating and resolving conflict.
