The YouthConnekt Youth Declaration for Peace and Unity
Preamble
We, the youth of Africa, gathered at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar, representing 37 nations and the diverse aspirations of our continent, stand at a critical juncture in our history.
We recognize the profound impact of conflicts and other acts of violence that have scarred our past and continue to threaten our present. We acknowledge the sacrifices made by generations before us and commit ourselves to learning from history, honoring victims, and preventing future atrocities.
Inspired by the courageous spirit of resilience that defines the African continent, and driven by an unwavering belief in a future of peace, justice, and shared prosperity, we, the young leaders of today and tomorrow, solemnly make this pledge.
Our Core Commitments
1. To Remember and Learn
- We pledge to remember and honor the victims of all wars and conflicts on our continent, ensuring that their stories are told and lessons are learned.
- We commit to actively combating denial, revisionism, and all forms of hate speech that seek to distort history or incite division.
- We will promote education about the causes and consequences of violence, recognizing that knowledge is the foundation of prevention.
2. To Uphold Justice and Accountability
- We pledge to advocate for and contribute to mechanisms that ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators of atrocities.
- We will champion the rule of law, fair legal processes, and the pursuit of truth, recognizing that impunity fuels cycles of violence.
- We will support efforts to address historical injustices and promote restorative practices that heal wounds and build trust.
3. To Embrace Responsibility for Peace
- We pledge to be active architects of peace in our communities and across the continent.
- We commit to rejecting violence, promoting dialogue, and fostering understanding as primary tools for resolving disputes.
- We will stand in solidarity with those who suffer from conflict and displacement, offering our support and working towards sustainable solutions.
- We recognize that true peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, legality, and opportunity for all.
4. To Cultivate Inclusive Societies
- We pledge to champion inclusivity, diversity, and equality, recognizing that discrimination and marginalization are breeding grounds for conflict.
- We will actively work to dismantle prejudices based on ethnicity, religion, gender, origin, or any other difference.
- We commit to building bridges between communities, celebrating our shared humanity, and fostering environments where every young African feels valued, respected, and empowered.
5. To Build Resilience and Foster Hope
- We pledge to develop and promote resilience within ourselves and our communities, equipping future generations with the tools to resist manipulation, overcome adversity, and build a positive future.
- We will cultivate hope by focusing on solutions, celebrating progress, and inspiring collective action towards a shared vision of a thriving and peaceful Africa.
- We will leverage our innovation, creativity, and energy to transform challenges into opportunities.
6. To Advocate for Youth Leadership in Peacebuilding
- We pledge to assert our role as critical agents of change in peace and security agendas.
- We will demand our seat at decision-making tables, ensuring that youth voices are heard and our perspectives are integrated into national and continental peacebuilding efforts.
- We will collaborate with governments, civil society, and international partners to implement policies that empower young people as peacebuilders.
Our Call to Action
This pledge is not merely a declaration; it is a call to action.
- We commit to living these principles every day, in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
- We will hold ourselves and each other accountable for the promise contained within this pledge.
- We call upon our leaders, our elders, and the international community to support us in this mission, to invest in our potential, and to create the enabling environments necessary for us to fulfill this solemn commitment.
- Together, as the unified voice of African youth, we choose a future free from war, genocide, and division.
- We choose a future built on justice, responsibility, and enduring peace.
This is our mission, and we embrace it with unwavering determination.
