3rd African Union Humanitarian Youth Forum

Lusaka, Zambia — 8–9 November 2024

CEREDDA was privileged to participate in the 3rd African Union Humanitarian Youth Forum, convened in Lusaka, Zambia, from 8 to 9 November 2024. With the theme, “Youth Involvement in Free Movement and Humanitarian Crises in Africa: An In Depth Examination of Challenges and Opportunities,” the Forum united dynamic young leaders, youth centred organizations, government officials, and international agencies to deliberate on how Africa’s youth can shape humanitarian responses and advance continental integration.

The Forum transcended traditional youth events by offering a substantive platform for cross-generational dialogue. Notably, CEREDDA’s delegation engaged deeply in the Intergenerational Engagement session—contributing insights into how sustained collaboration between seasoned professionals and emerging youth can drive forward humanitarian strategies that are grounded in lived experience, innovation, and cultural understanding.

Beyond panel discussions, the event offered thematic workshops focused on critical issues—ranging from humanitarian financing and youth mobility to disaster response and health systems resilience in crises. These dialogues aligned closely with AU’s broader mandates, including the implementation of the Free Movement Protocol and steps to operationalize the African Humanitarian Agency.

CEREDDA’s participation was generously sponsored by the African Union Commission, underscoring the organization’s commitment to ensuring that youth voices are meaningfully included in continental policy-making. The Forum offered CEREDDA a unique opportunity to exchange best practices, forge partnerships, and bolster advocacy efforts aimed at more inclusive, intergenerational humanitarian responses.

Key Takeaways & CEREDDA’s Contributions

• Intergenerational Engagement

CEREDDA’s delegation foregrounded the value of dialogue between youth and experienced stakeholders—ensuring hindsight, innovation, and cultural insight coalesce in crafting humanitarian responses.

• Free Movement & Mobility

Through plenaries and roundtables, the Forum deliberated obstacles—from restrictive visa regimes to bureaucratic hurdles—and explored how the AU’s Free Movement Protocol could amplify youth participation in regional humanitarian interventions.

• Strengthening Humanitarian Architecture

Youth delegates contributed proposals aimed at operationalizing the African Humanitarian Agency and reorienting funding mechanisms to be more youth inclusive and responsive to emerging crises.

• Action and Networks

The Forum catalyzed collaborative initiatives—youth-led task forces, research networks, and advocacy coalitions designed to sustain momentum beyond the two-day event.

CEREDDA’s involvement in this high-profile continental forum affirms its leadership in youth oriented humanitarian advocacy and its readiness to shape Africa’s humanitarian future through strong intergenerational collaboration, policy engagement, and evidence-based programming.