The longstanding Youth@SAIIA programme equips young people with the skills and knowledge to become active participants in international relations and public policy. We are shaping a future in which young people are empowered to drive positive change.
The Youth Policy Committee (YPC) is the main youth network of Youth@SAIIA that brings together youth organisations and young individuals to understand, comment and participate in policy processes that affect young people.
It was launched in mid-2014 by high school learners and university student alumni of our third annual Young Leaders Conference. Through this committee, we build networks with other young people and youth organisations in Africa and around the world.
At the end of 2024, the network had 764 actively involved members.
The YPC appeals to student and learner clubs, youth organisations, young activists and researchers across South Africa, to offer age-appropriate capacity-building that develops policy participation and negotiation skills. Some of the activities include:
If you would like to join the YPC, complete this registration form.
The annual Young Leaders Conference offers participants the opportunity to host their own negotiation sessions on critical issues facing young people. The negotiations culminate in the Young Leaders Declaration, which is handed over to the South African government at a high-level event.
During the conference representatives of government, the United Nations, various diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, businesses, and universities join us as speakers, mentors and observers to the conference.
Conference participants are chosen from top-performing candidates in our Model United Nations Programme, Environmental Sustainability Project and Interschools Quiz.
Hundreds of schools from around South Africa participate in the annual Model United Nations programme, which has been running since 1994. It offers learners an opportunity to research and debate various international topics together and learn how the United Nations and other international and regional bodies function.
University students serve as tutors for participating schools, to ensure that all schools have a fair chance in the programme. We also coordinate a series of mini model UN conferences in several provinces each year to broaden our outreach. Schools are encouraged to take part in at least one mini conference to ensure they are prepared for the large annual conference held each September in Johannesburg.
To find out more, contact youth@saiia.org.za
Young people from across South Africa continue to develop the South African Youth Climate Action Plan (SA YCAP) as a framework to inspire youth-led action across the country. Its goal is to expand networks of people contributing to a sustainable, just, inclusive and climate-resilient future for all.
The SA YCAP roadshows aim to create safe spaces for discussions, knowledge-building and learning. Participants have the opportunity to reflect upon climate (in)equality within their own lives, schools, universities and/or communities. Participants also explore and engage with how the recommendations contained within the SA YCAP can be applied to local contexts.
In the run-up to the annual UN Climate Change Conference, Youth@SAIIA members draft the South African Youth Statement that is then presented to key stakeholders for future engagement. The statement is co-drafted by over 100 representatives from over 30 organisations, schools, universities and colleges.
The South Africa Youth Gender Action Plan (SA YGAP) is a youth-led policy document aimed at guiding policymakers, government, civil society organisations, the public and private sector, and academia in creating and supporting increasingly gender-inclusive spaces. This document is anchored by the vision of increasingly sustainable, affordable, and widely accessible solutions to gender issues in South Africa.
Since the SA YGAP was convened in 2023, Youth@SAIIA have commenced roadshows across the country. These events provide an overview of the SA YGAP, explaining its goals, objectives and expected impact. The session will help participants understand the plan's importance and how it aims to address gender issues in South Africa.
Our enthusiastic group of student volunteers from various South African universities assist learners with research and public speaking skills to prepare them for participating in our youth projects, conferences and programme events each year. In addition, these volunteers also assist Youth@SAIIA with research as well as provide logistical support for events or activities.
Through tutoring sessions and workshops, these volunteers impart their knowledge and gain valuable new skills through helping high school learners grasp various topics. One of our past volunteers had this to say:
To find out more, contact youth@saiia.org.za.
Recognising the importance of translating policies into tangible actions, the Youth Implementers for Change (YIC) programme aims to provide opportunities and support for youth to implement climate policy-related project ideas.
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