The 10th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance is convened under the auspices of the African Governance Platform (AGP) and will serve as a forum for reflection. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the High-Level Dialogue. The High-Level dialogue provides a space for policy discussions to happen annually on issues of democratic governance, human rights and peace among different stakeholders within and outside of the African Union.

Given that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Dialogue, thematic discussions will essentially take stock of developments on the state of governance, democracy and peace on the continent, highlight the gains made, address the 6 challenges and explore the next steps. Particularly, discussions will focus on creating a renewed African Renaissance by critically examining the historical context, changing the democratic governance landscape of the region, and highlighting the normative and legal framework of AU’s democratic governance, peace and security agenda.

The Dialogue is therefore intended to provide a frank, open and inclusive space for policymakers, the private sector, think tanks, academia and practitioners to interrogate policy and practice imperatives that build the cornerstone for a peaceful and prosperous Africa. In addition, the Dialogue will focus specifically on appropriate democratic governance actions and recommendations that shall guide state and non-state interventions at national, regional, continental levels.

The High-Level Dialogue will be preceded by the Continental youth consultation and a Gender Pre-forum. Outcomes and resolutions from these consultations will systemically dovetail into the discussions at the HLD and eventually form parts of the outcomes.

Read more about the Dialogue here- English. French. 

To join the discussions, register here- https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7w-Knx1DQ_2zsGB-0YkEfA

the process of raising a new set of African young leaders with the skills that are necessary to drive the implementation of Agenda 2063 should be a key priority. The responsibility of driving Africa’s development agenda should be anchored on Young leaders who are deliberately and systematically cultivated for leadership on the continent. There is a need for a collective examination of what has worked, take lessons from what didn’t and define Africa’s path into the next millennium. The actual task of realizing Africa’s aspirations rests squarely on the shoulders of the next generation of Africans. It is a must, therefore, to prepare Africa’s successor generation for the challenges of the 21st century.

Youth have led, organized and strategized movements that have imparted lasting changes in communities by exercising adaptive leadership, intensifying their agency to build an Africa they want now more than ever. It is in light of this that the African Union is facilitating a discussion to foster a shared understanding, create intergenerational dialogue and experience sharing on the importance of youth leadership for the renewal of African Renaissance. The discussions will facilitate open and frank conversations for young people in preparation to take the mantle of leadership. More importantly, they will emerge with a set of values that will guide their leadership styles based on Pan-African principles, integrity and African Renaissance.

It is therefore based on the aforementioned narratives that the 2021 AU continental youth consultation is organized that under the auspices of the African Governance Architecture Youth Engagement Strategy(YES) spearheaded by the Secretariat on behalf of the African Governance Platform. The consultation is organized under the theme – “Youth Leadership for a renewed African Renaissance.”

Read more about the Continental Youth Consultation here- English  French

To join the Continental Youth Consultation, Register here-  - https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JbqjfpE4QvC8biTbJ7Qwog

We can hardly afford to disenfranchise women. The inclusion of women and enhancing their place in leadership remains unfinished, particularly in relation to women’s civil and political rights. The link between democracy, economic, and social progress has led to a growing focus on good governance and democracy. Democratic governance stands on two pillars, the first is representative and participatory. Making the distinction between representation in terms of numbers and meaningful participation that allows inputs and inclusion from the various stakeholders mainly women, youth and the vulnerable is key. There has been significant progress with regards to representation with percentages exhibited however, there is a swift realization that beyond the numbers meaningful engagement is tantamount to the meaningful and intentional expansion of spaces for engagement of women in leadership and decision making.

Taking a lead from the AU theme of the year “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the African We Want,” specific focus on the continents’ rich culture, history, heritage and arts need to be fully taken advantage of in promoting gender equality, women in leadership and decision making. In addition, substantive investments need to be made in all forms of arts and culture that promote dialogue on gender equality, leadership and promote substantive representation of women in decision-making positions. Oral traditions, spoken word poetry should be used in shaping new gender dialogues that transcend current challenges and catapult our women into the future.

Leadership and political will to leverage the pool of competent and well-trained women at all levels are viable pathways to reversing gender imbalances at all levels of public and political leadership in Africa.

Read more about the Gender Pre-forum here. English. French. 

To join the Gender Pre-Forum, Register here- https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AWcj6sUzQrWtK1G5FXd8VA