Published: August 14, 2026
MONROVIA — More than 100 young political and civic leaders from across Africa gathered for a hybrid International Youth Day celebration, issuing a strong call for young people to harness their collective power and take greater responsibility for shaping a continent defined by opportunity, accountable leadership and meaningful participation.
Held Aug. 12 under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the two-hour event brought together emerging leaders to discuss the political, social and economic challenges facing African youth and the aspirations that unite them despite their different national experiences.
The program was hosted by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development and the Young Political Leadership School Africa, or YPLS Africa, in collaboration with the African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress, or ADAFP.
Broadcast live from the Democracy Innovation Hub in Monrovia, the gathering attracted more than 100 participants online and 12 in person.
Opening the program, Eddie D. Jarwolo, executive director of Naymote and secretary-general of ADAFP, stressed the importance of creating spaces where young Africans can connect, exchange experiences and play active roles in determining the continent’s future.
The gathering featured political, judicial and civic leaders who challenged participants to move beyond identifying Africa’s problems and become part of the leadership needed to address them.
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, deputy president of Build One South Africa and a member of the South African Parliament, offered practical insights on youth representation and leadership within democratic institutions.
She challenged young Africans to recognize the influence and resources already available to them rather than waiting for others to transform the continent.
“Nobody is coming to save you but you. You have so much power and resources at your disposal. I encourage you to leverage that power to change our continent,” Hlazo-Webster said.
Special guest Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine, a judge of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and former Liberian vice-presidential candidate, urged participants to translate their aspirations into purposeful leadership, integrity, civic responsibility and practical action.
Brumskine drew attention to the migration of young Africans in search of better opportunities, arguing that the trend should serve as a judgment on the quality of leadership across the continent.
“To every young person who boards a boat, gets on an airplane to another country, or crosses boundaries, there is a verdict on my leadership and on your leadership. Your charge is to make staying in Africa an act of opportunity, not an act of sacrifice,” Brumskine said.
Alphia Faith Kemokai, manager of YPLS Africa and a Global Democracy Fellow, also shared lessons from her work with emerging political and civic leaders across Africa.
YPLS Africa alumna Kadiatu Koroma spoke on “Values That Count Across Different Contexts: Leading Toward Our Common Aspirations,” highlighting the values needed to build responsible and responsive leadership.
Moderated by Cameroonian media practitioner and YPLS Africa alumna Njix Sharon Nabeseh, the discussion examined the varying political, economic and social realities confronting young people across Africa.
Despite those differences, participants identified several aspirations that transcend national borders, including dignity, opportunity, inclusion, economic security, accountable leadership and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their countries and the continent.
The interactive discussions also allowed participants to exchange experiences, raise questions and explore opportunities for cross-border learning, networking and collaboration.
The International Youth Day celebration also strengthened engagement around the emerging Continental Young Forum of Political Parties, an initiative of ADAFP and YPLS Africa designed to unite young members of political parties across the continent.
The platform seeks to connect emerging political leaders beyond national, institutional and partisan boundaries while creating opportunities for collaboration, peer learning and stronger youth participation in Africa’s democratic processes.
Organizers said the initiative reflects the need for young political leaders to work across ideological and geographic divides on challenges affecting their generation.
The celebration ended with a central message: Although Africa’s young people operate within vastly different political, economic and social environments, they are connected by common aspirations and share a collective responsibility to shape the continent’s future.
Discussion about this post