Zimbabwean Youth Delegation to Shape Future at African Leadership Conference
A delegation of five Zimbabwean youth leaders from International Youth Connect (IYC Zimbabwe) is set to make history as they travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the fifth edition of The African Youth Leadership Diplomatic Conference (AYLDC5).
The delegation, led by IYC Zimbabwe’s Corporate Affairs Secretary Daniel Zinyama, marks a significant step in fostering international collaboration, particularly between Zimbabwean and Ethiopian youth. The conference is organized in partnership with the Ethiopian Youth Dialogue for Peace Association (EYDPA) and will take place from February 23 to 25.
A key highlight of AYLDC5 will be the launch and refinement of the Youth Agenda 2055: The Future We Want, an Africa-Japan Youth Policy proposal. This initiative seeks to create opportunities for young people across multiple sectors, including economic empowerment, governance, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding, and climate justice.
The conference will bring together youth leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to deliberate on and enhance the Africa-Japan Youth Policy Proposal. The ultimate goal is to establish a transformative framework that effectively addresses critical issues affecting African youth while strengthening international partnerships.
Speaking to Newsday Live, Zinyama emphasized that the initiative aligns with major global and regional development blueprints, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa’s Agenda 2063, and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) objectives.
“This represents a crucial step toward ensuring that youth voices shape policies that drive sustainable development across Africa and its international partnerships,” he said.
As part of the initiative, Zinyama also encouraged young leaders across Africa to submit position papers and actively participate in drafting resolutions that will contribute to the final policy document.
With their participation in AYLDC5, Zimbabwean youth are poised to make a lasting impact on the future of African leadership, diplomacy, and sustainable development.
