ADS 2025, Sub-theme 2 – Youth Stage

In Focus

Latest updates

  • Register to participate in the ADS 2025 International Webinars and Youth Dialogue:
  • Sub-theme 3: Building the Future: Healing and Reparations towards Socio-Economic Justice for Africans and People of African Descent webinar on 21 May and Youth Stage on 22 May.
  • Register to attend the High-Level Policy Dialogue in-person or online on 30 May.

 

In case you missed it

  • Watch the recording of the International Webinars that took place on 7 May and 14 May.
  • Watch the recording of the Youth Stages that took place on 8 May and 15 May.
  • Read our new policy brief on Understanding the Present: Economic, Social and Cultural Justice for Sustainable Development 

Week 2 | Day Four — 15 May

 

 

 

 

“Africa is experiencing population growth, with 'youth bulges' that can become a demographic dividend contributing to the continent’s growth or a 'demographic threat' that could stress the job market and fuel instability.”

OSAA Publication 

 

 

The second Youth Stage during the African Dialogue Series (ADS) 2025 will focus on the sub-theme “Understanding the Present: Economic, Social and Cultural Justice for Sustainable Development.”

This important dialogue will take place on Thursday, 15 May, from 9 to 11 a.m. New York time.

It is part of a broader initiative to unpack the African Union’s Theme of the Year and engage young people in meaningful discussions about our collective past and future.

The dialogue seeks to:

•    Explore the lasting impact of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade on Africa and the African Diaspora’s development trajectory.
•    Examine perspectives to address the structural challenges associated with Africa and the African Diaspora’s extractive economic model.
•    Explore ways to strengthen institutions to release the continent and its diaspora’s potential for domestic resource mobilization.
•    Reflect on how countries in Africa and the African Diaspora can control their own economic and financial resources for sustainable development and durable peace, with young people at the centre (aligned with SDG 16);
•    Inspire action through intergenerational exchange and thought leadership.

Register to join the conversation by clicking on this link or the image, or scanning the QR code. 

 

 

Schedule

9 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. New York (UTC-4)
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Geneva/Paris  
4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Addis Ababa

 

Programme

Times shown are New York local time, UTC-4

 

9 a.m. - 9.05 a.m.: Welcome

  • Ms. Juliet Wasswa Mugambwa, Senior Programme Management Officer, OSAA 

 

9.05 a.m. - 9.15 a.m.: Opening Remarks   

 

9.15. a.m. - 10.30 a.m.: Panel Discussion

Moderator

  • Ms. Christine Dikonguè, Founder, African Women and Youth Innovation Network

Panelists

  • Mr. Salaheddine Bakor, Deputy Secretary General, Pan-African Youth Union 
  • Ms. Torcia-Chanelle, Research Fellow, UN Economic Commission for Africa  
  • Dr. Thierry Ingabire, President, National Youth Council of Burundi 
  • Ms. Valentine Soumtang Bime, Research Fellow, UN Economic Commission for Africa 

 

10.30 a.m. - 10.50 a.m.: Interactive Q & A

  • Includes audience participation

 

10.50 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.: Closing Remarks and Looking Ahead

  • Ms. Juliet Wasswa Mugambwa, Senior Programme Management Officer, OSAA  

General Information

Launch Messages

Week 1: 5 - 9 May

Sub-theme 1: Learning from the Past: Transatlantic Slave Trade, Colonialism, Extractive Economies and Institutions in Africa

Week 2: 12 - 16 May

Sub-theme 2: Understanding the Present: Economic, Social and Cultural Justice for Sustainable Development

Week 3: 19 - 23 May

Sub-theme 3: Building the Future: Healing and Reparations towards Socio-Economic Justice for Africans and People of African Descent

30 May

High-level Policy Dialogue

  • HLPD Home
  • HLPD Programme
  • High-level Opening Segment
  • Setting the Stage
  • Interactive Roundtable on the Theme of ADS 2025
  • Closing Segment

Media

  • Press Materials
  • Statements
  • Contact