YAG sees an evident need not only to engage programmatically ‘on the ground’, but to work towards greater policy engagement both with and on behalf of the youth. Such forums where YAG continues to explore deeper engagement include the African Union Heads of State Summit, COP, UN Commission on Status of Women (CSW), the United Nations General Assembly, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, as well as the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting. Limited resources coupled with systemic bureaucracies impede our ability to advance meaningful youth engagement. With this in mind, YAG is seeking partnership with organizations to mobilize resources, develop capacities and explore joint avenues for regional and global level policy engagement using approaches such as policy briefs development, webinar series, policy roundtables and dialogues and side events among others. YAG’s hope is to leverage on these platforms to raise young people’s voices, a space for them to discuss their health and well-being, human rights, sexual reproductive health rights, access to education and their rights to have a promising future with dignity, respect, and inclusivity without leaving no one behind.
