IGAD Calls for Youth Leadership in Peace, Governance

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called for stronger youth participation in peace-building and governance as it wrapped up a two-day Youth, Peace and Security Conference in Nairobi on Wednesday.

The gathering brought together hundreds of young leaders, policy experts and government officials from IGAD’s eight member states, aiming to craft policy recommendations to boost youth influence in decision-making.

IGAD Secretary General Workneh Gebeyehu and Kenya’s Youth, Innovation and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya opened the event, which featured debates on youth roles in peace processes, elections and the use of digital tools to promote stability.

IGAD Youth Representative Sam Ogwal urged young people to take ownership of solutions to the region’s security and development challenges.

The forum, organised by IGAD’s Gender Office alongside its peace, security and health departments, supports the bloc’s 2021–2030 youth plan and the UN’s Youth, Peace and Security agenda.