Youth and Social Justice Futures: Re-imagining Future Skills and Training Needs in East and Southern Africa

Youth and Social Justice Futures: Re-imagining Future Skills and Training Needs in East and Southern Africa
Image: Getty, Rajesh Jantilal

We are pleased to extend an invitation for the official launch of our latest research project, ‘Youth and Social Justice Futures: Re-imagining Future Skills and Training Needs in East and Southern Africa.’

Governments in the East and Southern Africa region have identified skills development, gender mainstreaming, and work readiness as crucial in shaping future labour market- and social outcomes. As attention shifts towards post-COVID-19 economic recovery and climate change mitigation, it is important for policymakers to explore futures thinking and strategic foresight approaches in re-imagining youth skills training and employment by planning for change and uncertainty in collaboration with the youth. 

This research was co-created with youth participants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and South Africa across 36 workshops that engaged decision-makers in government, civil society, industry associations and the private sector. The research employed both a decolonial-informed method, Futures Literacy Laboratories, and a policy action-oriented method, Three Horizons Framework, and has yielded reframed youth futures insights, viable entrepreneurial innovations, emerging country visions for 2035, and policy recommendations for each country that address youth unemployment, social equity, deeper societal digital transformation, and re-imagined education and economic sectors. 

During the session, we will share the results of this groundbreaking research project, a first on the African continent, and engage in a thought-provoking panel discussion with foresight experts and help grow the network for youth-led foresight to policy projects.

Engage in a thought-provoking discussion with the project researchers and youth co-researchers who will share their perspectives on the research findings and key learnings. Webinar participants can also pose questions directly to the research team and panellists during the questions and answer session.

Panellists

  • Prof Geci Karuri-Sebina, Associate Professor – Wits School of Governance
  • Dr Deon Cloete, Head of SAIIA Futures Programme – SAIIA
  • Faridah Nakanwagi, Uganda Youth Researcher – Twaweza East Africa
  • Judith Kumwenda, Malawi Youth Researcher – MIET Africa
  • Joshua Sapetulu, Zambia Youth Researcher – MIET Africa
  • Filbert Mbugua Ibau, Kenya Youth Researcher – Twaweza East Africa

Moderator

  • Luné du Plessis, Futures Programme Research Coordinator – SAIIA

We look forward to your attendance and participation.

30 Nov 2023